What does ELI5 mean?
ELI5 means explain it simply, as you would to a child.
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Acronym. Also written explain like I’m five.
Where it comes from
From Reddit’s r/explainlikeimfive, founded in 2011, where answers are required to be accessible rather than technically complete.
How it is actually used
A request for plain language, not for condescension — the subreddit’s own rule is that answers should be simple, not literally aimed at five-year-olds. Used as both a request ("ELI5 why this breaks") and a label on an explanation. Common in technical communities where the alternative is an answer only specialists can read.
Examples
- "ELI5 how webhooks work"
- "ELI5 version: it retries three times"
- "can someone ELI5 this pricing page"
Can a brand use it? Safe for brands
Safe and a strong format for technical brands. Answering an ELI5 request well is one of the more reliable ways to be useful in public without selling anything.
Related terms
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ELI5 mean?
Explain like I’m five — a request for a simple, jargon-free explanation.
Does it mean explaining to an actual child?
No. The originating subreddit explicitly says answers should be plain-language for laypeople, not literally childlike.
Where did ELI5 come from?
Reddit’s r/explainlikeimfive, created in 2011.
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