clear

1 of 4

adjective

ˈklir 

1

a

: bright, luminous

bonfires clear and bright

—Shakespeare

b

: cloudless

specifically : less than one-tenth covered

a clear sky

c

: free from mist, haze, or dust

a clear day

d

: untroubled, serene

a clear gaze

2

: clean, pure: such as

a

: free from blemishes

clear skin

b

: easily seen through : transparent

clear glass

clear plastic bags

c

: free from abnormal sounds on auscultation

3

a

: easily heard

a loud and clear sound

b

: easily visible : plain

a clear signal

c

: free from obscurity or ambiguity : easily understood : unmistakable

a clear explanation

4

a

: capable of sharp discernment : keen

a clear thinker

b

: free from doubt : sure

not clear on how to proceed

5

: free from guile or guilt : innocent

a clear conscience

6

: unhampered by restriction or limitation: such as

a

: free of debts or charges

a clear estate

b

: net

a clear profit

c

: unqualified, absolute

a clear victory

d

: free from obstruction

clear passage

e

: emptied of contents or cargo

A ship is clear after unloading.

f

: free from entanglement or contact

staying clear of controversy

keep clear of the boundary

g

: bare, denuded

clear ground

clearness noun

clear

2 of 4

adverb

1

: in a clear manner

to cry loud and clear

2

: all the way

drove clear across the state

clear

3 of 4

verb

cleared; clearing; clears

transitive verb

1

a

: to make clear or translucent

clear the water by filtering

b

: to free from pollution or cloudiness

clear the atmosphere

2

: to free from accusation or blame : exonerate, vindicate

the opportunity to clear himself

3

a

: to give insight to : enlighten

clear my mind about the new arrangement

b

: to make intelligible : explain

clear up the mystery

4

a

: to free from what obstructs or is unneeded: such as

(1)

: open sense 1b

clear a path

(2)

: to remove unwanted growth or items from

clear the land of timber

(3)

: to rid or make a rasping noise as if ridding (the throat) of phlegm

needed to clear my throat

(4)

: to erase stored or displayed data from (a device, such as a computer or calculator)

b

: to empty of occupants

clear the room

c

: disentangle

clear a fishing line

d

: to remove from an area or place

clear the dishes from the table

e

: transmit, dispatch

5

a

: to submit for approval

clear it with me first

b

: authorize, approve

cleared the article for publication

: such as

(1)

: to certify as trustworthy

clear a person for classified information

(2)

: to permit (an aircraft) to proceed usually with a specified action

the plane was cleared to land

6

a

: to free from obligation or encumbrance

b

: settle, discharge

clear an account

c(1)

: to free (a ship or shipment) by payment of duties or harbor fees

(2)

: to pass through (customs)

d

: to gain without deduction : net

clear a profit

e

: to put through a clearinghouse

clear a check

7

a

: to go over, under, or by without touching

the ball just cleared the uprights

b

: to move through successfully : pass

the bill cleared the legislature

intransitive verb

1

a

: to become clear

it cleared up quickly after the rain

b

: to go away : vanish

the symptoms cleared gradually

c

: sell

Hogs cleared at steady rates.

2

a

: to obtain permission to discharge cargo

b

: to conform to regulations or pay requisite fees prior to leaving port

The ship cleared yesterday and is ready to sail.

3

: to pass through a clearinghouse

4

: to go to an authority (as for approval) before becoming effective

All tax bills must clear through our committee.

clearable

ˈklir-ə-bəl 

adjective

clear

4 of 4

noun

1

: a clear space or part

2

: a high arcing shot over an opponent's head in badminton

Phrases

clear the air or less commonly clear the atmosphere

: to remove elements of hostility, tension, confusion, or uncertainty

had a long meeting to clear the air

clear the decks

: to make sweeping preparations for action

in the clear

1

: in inside measurement

corridors three feet in the clear

2

: free from guilt or suspicion

The jury's decision was that he was in the clear.

3

: in plaintext : not in code or cipher

a message sent in the clear

Synonyms

Adjective

• crystal
• crystal clear
• crystalline
• limpid
• liquid
• lucent
• pellucid
• see-through
• transparent

Verb

• free
• open
• unblock

Choose the Right Synonym for clear

clear, transparent, translucent, limpid mean capable of being seen through.

clear implies absence of cloudiness, haziness, or muddiness.

clear water

transparent implies being so clear that objects can be seen distinctly.

a transparent sheet of film

translucent implies the passage of light but not a clear view of what lies beyond.

translucent frosted glass

limpid suggests the soft clearness of pure water.

her eyes were limpid pools of blue

clear, perspicuous, lucid mean quickly and easily understood.

clear implies freedom from obscurity, ambiguity, or undue complexity.

clear instructions

perspicuous applies to a style that is simple and elegant as well as clear.

a perspicuous style

lucid suggests a clear logical coherence and evident order of arrangement.

a lucid explanation

synonyms see in addition evident

Examples of clear in a Sentence

Adjective

There are clear differences between the two candidates.

She's the clear favorite to win the election.

I'm not completely happy with the plan, but I see no clear alternative.

He was the clear winner.

She has made it abundantly clear that she does not support us.

It's not clear how much longer we'll have to wait.

“Changes will have to be made.” “Yes, that's clear.”

Her writing has a clear style.

The instructions weren't very clear about when we were supposed to begin.

I think I have a clear understanding of the problem.

Adverb

We drove clear across the state.

The ball rolled clear across the street.

Verb

The sky cleared after the rain.

The weather is cloudy now, but it's clearing gradually.

The morning fog gradually cleared.

When the smoke cleared, we could see that the building had been completely destroyed.

The water cleared after the mud had settled.

My skin cleared when I started using the cream.

They cleared timber from the land.

She cleared everything out of the closet.

I'll clear those books out of the way.

The police ordered the crowd to clear the area.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

What is clear is that, far from remaining aloof from gritty social realities, Whistler loved making pictures of street life, building facades and stores. —Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024

That level of detail won't be clear until the campaigns file their campaign finance reports with the Federal Election Commission later this month. —Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 6 Apr. 2024

Carter accepted that figure but had repeatedly made clear that the fees weren’t the element of the sanctions request that mattered to him most. —Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024

The responding officer said the weather at the time of the crash was clear and the road was dry. —Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 6 Apr. 2024

Now, Mother Nature is doing a bit of a flip-flop, and areas typically experiencing cloud cover and inclement weather are clear, and the opposite is true for other parts of the country. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024

When Does Ramadan Start? Traditionally, Ramadan starts when those authorities observe the first signs of the new crescent moon, around a day or two after the new moon, meaning that clear skies in one area and cloudy skies in another could alter the month’s specific starting time. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024

Baxter says South Florida’s west coast, including the Naples area, will have clearer skies. —Omar Rodríguez Ortiz, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024

Saurabh Bhardwaj, an Aam Aadmi official in Delhi, said Mr. Modi’s intention was clear: to push the country toward one-party rule. —Hari Kumar, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024

Adverb

Longley said the Tennessee Valley will see some heavy downpours Saturday night that clear come Sunday morning. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2024

The reaction to a possible rejection would be clear cut and likely see an immediate tumble, said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone. —Reuters, NBC News, 2 Jan. 2024

The line of people waiting for a table at the Paris Coffee Shop on Saturday morning stretched back clear to the kitchen, as the front door swung open every few minutes. —Jack Howland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2024

Over the past two weeks, in nearly every public statement, Israeli leaders have made their future target in the war in Gaza clear: Rafah. —Neri Zilber, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Feb. 2024

The first bad sign was having to walk clear across the convention center to get there, cutting into her already brief pumping window. —Tara Bannow, STAT, 18 Jan. 2024

For every $1,000 more that borrowers take out, one year is added to their repayment plan — so people who took out $14,000 could see their debt wiped clear after paying for 12 years. —Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2024

Incumbent district switchers Boebert’s move is a rare example of an incumbent lawmaker moving clear across the state to run in a different district. —David Mark, Washington Examiner, 12 Jan. 2024

In contrast, some luxury brands are steering clear, suggesting that mass produced items run against the idea of rarity on which they are built. —Yusuf Khan, WSJ, 10 Jan. 2024

Verb

However, the president's new loan forgiveness proposal will have to clear several hurdles before any student loan balances may be lowered. —Bo Erickson, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024

Banks had a clean sheet on his way to the title, clearing each height on his first attempt. —Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2024

Rescue Plans to Rehome Missing Pet Snake Who Reunited with Owner After Being Dropped by a Crow Mishka was also examined by Michigan veterinarian Nancy Pillsbury, who gave the dog a rabies shot and cleared her to travel. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024

Indianapolis, Indiana: Dry, few clouds, clearing sky, good chance of seeing the eclipse, temperature near 70 degrees with gusty winds. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2024

Some Hindus who see eclipses as inauspicious fast before and bathe after the celestial event — sometimes with their clothes on — to clear themselves of negative energies, Kowsik says. —Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

One of the emergencies covers a project to clear about 1,500 feet of the Buena Vista Creek channel beneath El Camino Real. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024

Using massive barges and floating cranes, crews are clearing the hulking pieces of steel and hunks of concrete that have crippled the Port of Baltimore and spread economic pain locally and nationally. —Leslie Shapiro, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

So clearing that pathway of debris could allow the port to reopen, even as crews continue to work to remove other debris that fell into the river. —Mark Thompson, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024

Noun

Only Chloe sense its [clears throat] presence, at least until things start getting violently thrown around. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2024

Even with Marvel’s recommitment to compassion in the midst of conflict, the brand isn’t entirely in the clear. —Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Nov. 2023

Holding all of these disparate ideas together is Vanillaware’s incredible 2D art, along with a clear to desire to experiment. —Andrew Webster, The Verge, 23 Nov. 2023

On third-and-2, Alexander scooted into the clear to put HSE ahead 28-21 with 6:45 left. —Matthew Glenesk, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Sep. 2023

Outside: Keep a distance from power lines, poles, trees, bridges, buildings, signs and vehicles; stay in the clear. —Cameron Fozi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2023

Three snaps earlier, Fields connected on a 48-yard deep ball to rookie Tyler Scott, who torched cornerback Greg Stroman with his release, then used his speed to break into the clear. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2023

The boys of Fiji, as the frat was called, seemed to be in the clear. —T.a. Frank, Washington Post, 28 June 2023

Alyssa Edwards, North Harford, senior, goalie Eighty-four saves, 27 clears and one caused turnover marked a strong senior season for Edwards. —Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, Verb, and Noun

Middle English clere, from Anglo-French cler, from Latin clarus clear, bright; akin to Latin calare to call — more at low entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clear

• all clear
• (as) clear as a bell
• as clear as day/daylight/anything
• as clear as mud
• clear-air turbulence
• clear away
• clear conscience
• clear-cut
• clear-cutting
• clear-eyed
• clear-felling
• clear head
• clear of
• clear off
• clear oneself
• clear one's name
• clear one's throat
• clear out
• clear sailing
• clear-sighted
• clear someone's name
• clear the air
• clear the atmosphere
• clear the cobwebs
• clear the decks
• clear the way
• clear up
• clear up (something)
• crystal clear
• free and clear
• in the clear
• is that clear?
• let's get one thing perfectly clear
• loud and clear
• make oneself clear
• see one's way (clear) to
• steer clear
• the all clear
• the coast is clear

Kids Definition

clear

1 of 4 adjective

ˈkli(ə)r 

1

a

: shining brightly : luminous

clear sunlight

b

: free from clouds, haze, dust, or mist

a clear day

c

: free from trouble : serene

a clear gaze

2

a

: free of blemishes

a clear complexion

b

: easily seen through : transparent

clear glass

3

: easily heard, seen, or understood

a clear voice

the meaning was clear

4

: free from doubt : sure

a clear understanding of the issue

5

: free from guilt : innocent

a clear conscience

6

: free from restriction or entanglement

a clear profit

the coast is clear

clearness noun

clear

2 of 4 adverb

1

: in a clear manner

shout loud and clear

2

: all the way : completely

can see clear to the mountains

the hole goes clear through

clear

3 of 4 verb

1

a

: to make or become clear

clear the water by filtering

the sky is clearing

b

: to go away : vanish

clouds cleared away after the rain

2

: to free from blame

cleared my name

3

: to make understandable : explain

cleared the matter up for me

4

a

: to free from things blocking

clear land for crops

clear a path

b

: to remove stored or displayed data from (as a computer or calculator)

5

: to give or get approval

the proposal cleared the committee

6

: to pay in full : settle

clear an account

7

: to go through customs

8

: net entry 4

cleared a profit

9

: to get rid of : remove

clear the dishes from the table

10

: to go over or by without touching

cleared the fence

clearable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

clearer

-ər 

noun

clear

4 of 4 noun

: a clear space or part

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English clere "clear, bright," from early French cler (same meaning), from Latin clarus "clear, bright" — related to clairvoyance, declare

Medical Definition

clear

1 of 2 adjective

ˈkli(ə)r 

1

a

of the skin or complexion : good in texture and color and without blemish or discoloration

b

of an animal coat : of uniform shade without spotting

2

: free from abnormal sounds on auscultation

clear

2 of 2 transitive verb

1

: to render (a specimen for microscopic examination) transparent by the use of an agent (as an essential oil) that modifies the index of refraction

2

: to rid (the throat) of phlegm or of something that makes the voice indistinct or husky

Legal Definition

clear

adjective

1

: unencumbered by outstanding claims or interests

a search showed the title was clear

2

: free from doubt or ambiguity