clarify

verb

clar·​i·​fy ˈkler-ə-ˌfī 

ˈkla-rə-

clarified; clarifying

transitive verb

1

: to make understandable

clarify a subject

The president was forced to clarify his position on the issue.

2

: to free of confusion

needs time to clarify his thoughts

3

: to make (a liquid or something liquefied) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter

clarify syrup

intransitive verb

: to become clear

… waiting for the present muddled diplomatic situation to clarify …

—Newsweek

clarification

ˌkler-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

ˌkla-rə-

noun

clarifier

ˈkler-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

ˈkla-rə-

noun

Synonyms of clarify

• filter
• refine
• extract
• fine
• clear
• purify

Examples of clarify in a Sentence

Can you clarify exactly what it is you're proposing?

Her explanation did not clarify matters much.

The president was forced to clarify his position on the issue.

The committee clarified the manager's duties.

a substance used to clarify wine

Recent Examples on the Web

The bill also clarifies that only those powered by liquid fuel, such as gasoline, require a muffler. — Madison Smalstig july 18, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026

Propose the meet-up, fundraiser, or group plan, then clarify who owns what. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026

And a new law passed this session further clarified that e-bike riders need to follow regular traffic laws and exercise due care. — Rose Evans july 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026

Chhabria set a hearing for August to further clarify his order and clear up ambiguity regarding which categories of noncitizens' data could be lawfully shared with ICE. — Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English clarifien, from Anglo-French clarifier, from Late Latin clarificare, from Latin clarus clear — more at clear

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Rhymes for clarify

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

Kids Definition

clarify

verb

clar·​i·​fy ˈklar-ə-ˌfī 

clarified; clarifying

1

: to make or become pure or clear

clarify a liquid

2

: to make or become easier to understand

clarify a statement

clarification

ˌklar-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

clarifier

ˈklar-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

Medical Definition

clarify

verb

clar·​i·​fy ˈklar-ə-ˌfī 

clarified; clarifying

transitive verb

: to make (as a liquid) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter

clarify sewage

intransitive verb

: to become clear

clarification

ˌklar-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

clarifier

ˈklar-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun