Dictionary

villainsplain en · VERB

Etymology

From villain + -splain.

Meanings

1. (informal) Of a villain in a fictional work, to explain the details of one's evil plans or actions, or the motivations that drive them.
   • There’s a moment when John Sill gazes at the “Mona Lisa,” which he has stolen from the Louvre. The painting, he villainsplains to Kitu, is artistically unimpressive but nevertheless “a work of genius. Marketing genius.” 2022 November 1, Molly Young, “In a New Novel, Percival Everett Riffs Gleefully on 007”, in The New York Times:
   • Are you done villainsplaining? 2019 April 5, Steven Katz, “In the Woods”, in Kate Dennis, director, The Tick, season 2, episode 9, spoken by Overkill (Scott Speiser):

Forms