clarify

1 of 2

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

clarifier

2 of 2

noun

clar·​i·​fi·​er ˈkler-ə-ˌfīr 

ˈkla-rə-, 

-ˌfī-ər

plural -s

: one that clarifies: such as

a

: one that filters a substance (as paint, varnish, or wine) to remove impurities

b

: one that purifies oleo stock by straining and skimming it while it is heated in a tank

c

: one that changes the filters that strain cellulose solution before it is spun into rayon yarn or made into transparent wrapping material

called also filterer

Synonyms of clarify

Verb

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

Examples of clarify in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

One was the 25th Amendment, which clarified rules for presidential succession, vice presidential vacancies, and handling presidential disability. — Tom Lobianco, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026

Negotiate the timeline, clarify the scope, and put the agreement in friendly writing. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026

While a South Carolina official clarified this a day later, the number of people who saw that clarification is probably dwarfed by the number who saw the initial story and are now spreading the misinformation. — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Leon then clarified and said below-ground construction of the ballroom could continue, but above-ground could not. — Deepa Shivaram, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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