diff --git a/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/reporting/messages.scala b/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/reporting/messages.scala
index c230e3b4d6d7..890c3e91bf3a 100644
--- a/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/reporting/messages.scala
+++ b/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/reporting/messages.scala
@@ -2775,7 +2775,10 @@ extends SyntaxMsg(TargetNameOnTopLevelClassID):
 class NotClassType(tp: Type)(using Context)
 extends TypeMsg(NotClassTypeID), ShowMatchTrace(tp):
   def msg(using Context) = i"$tp is not a class type"
-  def explain(using Context) = ""
+  def explain(using Context) =
+    i"""A class type includes classes and traits in a specific order. Defining a class, even an anonymous class,
+        |requires specifying an order for the traits it extends. For example, `A & B` is not a class type because it
+        |doesn't specify which trait takes precedence, A or B. Both `A with B` and `B with A` are class types."""
 
 class NotConstant(suffix: String, tp: Type)(using Context)
 extends TypeMsg(NotConstantID), ShowMatchTrace(tp):