1. in a manner that explains or serves to clarify something; by way of explanation
Usage: formal; less common than 'explanatory'

Examples

• She spoke explanatively about the complex theory, breaking it down into simple steps.
• The teacher added explanatively that the formula applies only to positive integers.
• He gestured explanatively while describing the accident to the police officer.
• The manual was written explanatively to help beginners understand the software.
• She nodded explanatively, as if to say the decision was obvious.