Main Entry: ¹clear

Pronunciation: \ˈklir\

Function: adjective

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

Date: 13th century

1 a : bright, luminous 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: as a : free from blemishes <clear skin> b : easily seen through : transparent <clear glass> 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: as a : unencumbered by 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 f : free from entanglement or contact <staying clear of controversy> <keep clear of the boundary> g : bare, denuded <clear ground>

— clear·ness noun

synonyms 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>.

synonyms 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