clear

play

adjective \ ˈklir \

Definition of clear

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

See clear defined for English-language learners

See clear defined for kids

Examples of clear in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of clear from the Web

One thing that also was clear was how different circumstances were at play in each situation.

— albert breer, SI.com, "Colin Kaepernick Blackball? NFL Team Executives Explain Why That Theory Doesn’t Stand Up," 31 Aug. 2017
Anand thinks one solution that doesn’t require removing the Koh-i-Noor from the UK is to make the history of the diamond clearer.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "The True Story of the Koh-i-Noor Diamond—And Why the British Won’t Give It Back," 30 Aug. 2017
One clear shortcoming of the individual marketplace is a lack of insurer competition, particularly in rural areas.

— julie rovner, Kaiser Health News, "5 Outside-The-Box Ideas For Fixing The Individual Insurance Market," 30 Aug. 2017
The reason behind his absence hasn't been clear, according to reporting from Tallahassee.

— michael casagrande, AL.com, "Jimbo Fisher surprised top FSU tackler still not practicing as Alabama looms," 30 Aug. 2017
Osaka said, speaking softly but making her point loud and clear.

— helene elliott, latimes.com, "Naomi Osaka makes a splash at U.S. Open, taking down defending champ Angelique Kerber," 29 Aug. 2017
When her aunt takes her to the Garni pagan temple and the famous Geghard Christian monastery, things start to become clearer.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "God and Stone: One Woman Explores Her Armenian Roots," 29 Aug. 2017
Antifa and its elite apologists are sending a clear message of hate and loathing to millions of Americans who don’t have a fascist bone in their bodies — to the millions of good people who voted for Donald Trump.

— david french, National Review, "Antifa Just Showed Its True Colors. Again.," 28 Aug. 2017
There is now restored footage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles's royal wedding, so fans can revisit the moment with even clearer visuals than before.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Restored Footage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles's Royal Wedding Is Here," 25 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clear.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of clear

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

clear Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

cloudy, opaque

Related Words

colorless, uncolored; diaphanous, lucid, semitranslucent, semitransparent, sheer, translucent, transparentized; glassy, vitreous

Near Antonyms

colored, dark, glazed, tinted; filmy, foggy, hazy, misty, nebulous, smoky (also smokey); dense, muddy, murky, turbid

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

clear

adverb

Definition of clear

1 :in a clear manner

to cry loud and clear

2 :all the way

drove clear across the state

See clear defined for English-language learners

Examples of clear in a Sentence

We drove clear across the state.
The ball rolled clear across the street.

Recent Examples of clear from the Web

A dark glue will blend into your eyeliner better, but worry not: The standard-issue white stuff will dry clear.

— loni venti, Teen Vogue, "How To Apply False Eyelashes in 5 Easy Steps," 30 Aug. 2017
Shuttle buses established — Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) August 21, 2017 Original post at 5:53 a.m. Metro has suspended its Green Line service between Branch Avenue and Naylor Road stations as crews clear away track work.

— luz lazo, Washington Post, "Metro service restored on Green Line between Branch Avenue and Naylor Road," 21 Aug. 2017
Preventing Afghanistan from once again becoming a terrorist sanctuary from which attacks on America can be launched is as clear-cut a vital national interest as any in the world.

— vance serchuk, The Atlantic, "America Needs to Stay in Afghanistan," 18 Aug. 2017
In January of 1997, just a few months before the tragic car crash that would take her life, Princess Diana stepped out onto an active minefield in Angola to learn how de-miners clear away explosives.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Why Princess Diana's Fight Against Landmines Was So Groundbreaking," 18 Aug. 2017
This could be especially important in places where valuable forests are being clear cut to make way for cattle, such as in the Brazilian rainforest.

— emily matchar, Smithsonian, "Scientists Make Food From Bacteria, Water, Electricity, and a Whole Lot of Patience," 15 Aug. 2017
Earlier, Tottenham beat 10-man Newcastle 2-0 away thanks to goals by Dele Alli and Ben Davies, with last season’s runner-up only pulling clear at St. James’ Park after Jonjo Shelvey’s 48th-minute red card.

— steve douglas, The Seattle Times, "United, Tottenham make winning starts in Premier League," 13 Aug. 2017
There's also the fact that the technology hasn't exactly been perfect–they're not dark enough in sunlight and too slow to turn clear indoors.

— miles raymer, Esquire, "Can Transitions Lenses Ever Be Cool?," 25 July 2017
The divides are not always clear-cut: Slovakia, Slovenia and the Baltic states are euro members, and dislike being lumped in with the more intransigent easterners.

— The Economist, "Emmanuel Macron is revitalising the European Union—and dividing it," 20 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of clear

see ¹clear

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

clear

verb

Definition of clear

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 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

play \ˈklir-ə-bəl\ adjective

—

clearer

play \ˈklir-ər\ noun

— 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

See clear defined for English-language learners

Examples of clear in a Sentence

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 of clear from the Web

Justus said the commission’s ruling clears up any cloud hanging over the selection committee.

— lynn horsley, kansascity, "Ethics commission rules for councilwoman on conflict over KCI," 30 Aug. 2017
Dunaway spent the Tuesday morning helping to clear three neighborhoods in Baytown – which got hammered with 51.88 inches of rain.

— jen kirby, Daily Intelligencer, "‘It Took Two Boat Rides’: Texans on Surviving the Storm," 30 Aug. 2017
Florida was not cleared until late spring by an SEC rule change to accept a graduate transfer, and Zaire passed up other opportunities to go elsewhere and get into spring practice with another program while waiting on his decision.

— ryan young, ajc, "Jim McElwain names Feleipe Franks as Florida’s starting QB vs. Michigan," 30 Aug. 2017
The 6-foot-5 Walker was cleared later in camp and is still battling his way.

— AL.com, "UAB depth chart breakdown and analysis for season opener," 28 Aug. 2017
Clear some space to stock up and break out the glassware because California Roots wines launch at more than 1,100 Target stores nationwide September 3.

— melissa minton, Bon Appetit, "Target Now Sells Its Own Line of Very Inexpensive Wine," 28 Aug. 2017
That plane was cleared for flying on Saturday night, South African civil aviation authorities said.

— Bloomberg.com, "Grace Mugabe Gets Diplomatic Immunity, Returns to Zimbabwe," 20 Aug. 2017
Immigration courts in San Diego and Imperial counties have sped up processing this year, and immigration attorneys worry that clearing backlogs will lead to deportations of those who have legal grounds to stay.

— kate morrissey, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Immigration processing speeds up in San Diego area courts," 18 Aug. 2017
The organization was cleared of misusing fetal tissue by a Texas grand jury.

— veronica hilbring, Essence.com, "U.S. Appeals Court: Arkansas Can Block Medicaid Funding To Planned Parenthood," 17 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of clear

see ¹clear

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

clear Synonyms

Synonyms

free, open, unblock

Antonyms

block

Related Words

ease, facilitate, loosen (up), smooth, unchoke, unclog, unplug, unstop; unclutter; strip

Near Antonyms

clog, close, dam, obstruct, plug, stop; clutter (up)

clear

noun

Definition of clear

1 :a clear space or part

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

— 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

See clear defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of clear from the Web

Bill Martin, Academy Park, Sr. – Clears space for Kareem Burton & Co. Nafeei Minor, Simon Gratz, Sr. –

— rick o'brien, Philly.com, "Offensive linemen who will dominate the trenches," 20 Aug. 2017
North Carolina’s 9-0 run in the second half was assisted in part by a 10-man ride that seemed to cause problems for the Great Danes, who failed on four of eight clears in the third quarter.

— edward lee, baltimoresun.com, "Albany vs. Maryland men's lacrosse: Three things to watch," 21 May 2017
But as the excellent new show at Black Ensemble Theater in Chicago makes clear, Baker's crossing, and subsequent switch to French citizenship, came at a price.

— chris jones, chicagotribune.com, "New Josephine Baker musical is the best Black Ensemble show in years," 19 May 2017
One breached clear of the water in an Olympic-worthy finale.

— brian j. cantwell, idahostatesman, "Worth the trip: Spy San Juan whales and sample what’s new," 1 May 2017
On defense Akers retreated time and again to make crucial clears.

— grant wahl, SI.com, "SI Vault: Out Of This World – How the U.S. women won the 1999 World Cup," 2 July 2015

Origin and Etymology of clear

see ¹clear

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1674

See Words from the same year

CLEAR Defined for English Language Learners

clear

play

adjective

Definition of clear for English Language Learners

: very obvious : not causing or allowing doubt
: easily understood
: free from doubt or confusion

clear

adverb

Definition of clear for English Language Learners

: in a clear manner
: all the way : completely or entirely

CLEAR Defined for Kids

clear

play

adjective \ ˈklir \

Definition of clear for Students

clearer; clearest

1 :easily heard, seen, noticed, or understood

a clear definition

The differences were clear.

She spoke in a clear voice.

2 :free of clouds, haze, or mist

a clear day

3 :free from feelings of guilt

a clear conscience

4 :easily seen through

clear water

5 :free from doubt or confusion :sure

Are you clear on what you need to do?

6 :free of blemishes

clear skin

7 :not blocked

a clear path

a clear view

8 :bright 1, luminous

clear sunlight

—

clearly

adverb

—

clearness

noun

clear

verb

Definition of clear for Students

cleared; clearing

1 :to free of things blocking

I cleared my throat.

2 :to make or become free of clouds, haze, or mist

The sky cleared.

3 :to get rid of :remove

Please clear dishes from the table.

4 :to go over or by without touching

The ball I hit cleared the fence.

5 :to go away :disperse

The crowd cleared rapidly.

6 :explain 1

We tried to clear the matter up.

7 :to free from blame

The judge cleared my name.

8 :to approve or be approved by

Our plane was cleared to land.

Our proposal cleared the committee.

9 :to make as profit

We cleared 85 dollars on the sale.

clear

adverb

Definition of clear for Students

1 :in a way that is easy to hear

loud and clear

2 :all the way

I could hear you clear across the room.

Medical Dictionary

clear

play

adjective \ ˈkli(ə)r \

medical Definition of clear

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

transitive verb

medical Definition of clear

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

Law Dictionary

clear

adjective

legal Definition of clear

1 :unencumbered by outstanding claims or interests

a search showed the title was clear

2 :free from doubt or ambiguity

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clearness

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clear

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clear

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clearable

clearer

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Synonyms

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clear

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CLEAR Defined for English Language Learners

clear

Definition of clear for English Language Learners

clear

Definition of clear for English Language Learners

CLEAR Defined for Kids

clear

Definition of clear for Students

clearly

clearness

clear

Definition of clear for Students

clear

Definition of clear for Students

Medical Dictionary

clear

medical Definition of clear

clear

medical Definition of clear

Law Dictionary

clear

legal Definition of clear

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