clear

adjective

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\ ˈklir

Definition of clear

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : 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

3a : 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

4a : 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

clear

adverb

Definition of clear (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : in a clear manner to cry loud and clear

2 : all the way drove clear across the state

clear

verb

cleared; clearing; clears

Definition of clear (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : 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

3a : to give insight to : enlighten clear my mind about the new arrangement

b : to make intelligible : explain clear up the mystery

4a : 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

5a : 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

6a : 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

7a : 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

1a : 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.

2a : 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.

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

clear

noun

Definition of clear (Entry 4 of 4)

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

Other Words from clear Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing clear Learn More About clear

Synonyms & Antonyms for clear

Synonyms: Adjective

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Adjective

Antonyms: Verb

block

Choose the Right Synonym for clear

Adjective

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective From the opening chordal blasts of the introduction, the music moved forward, and the deep connections that exist between motives became clear. — Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2022 The terms of the consent decree were not immediately clear, including what steps Abbott was taking to remediate issues raised by the FDA or how quickly production at the plant would be restarted. — Matthew Perrone, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2022 Any connection between the shooter and the church or its congregation was also not immediately clear. — Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, 16 May 2022 The terms of the consent decree were not immediately clear, including what steps Abbott was taking to remediate issues raised by the FDA or how quickly production at the plant would be restarted. — Zeke Miller And Matthew Perrone, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2022 But days after that initial equivocation, as the extent of Putin’s violent incursion became clear, the EBU banned Russia from the competition in Italy. — Patrick Caldwell, The New Republic, 13 May 2022 The transformative powers of a digital wallet first became clear in emerging markets. — Bill Ready, Fortune, 11 May 2022 Simply put, this was when the universe at last became clear for study by curious astronomers seeking to learn how exactly the cosmic dawn occurred. — Charles Q. Choi, Scientific American, 10 May 2022 That became clear across Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio. — Alexis Oatman, cleveland, 10 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb The end of the pandemic won’t be as clear-cut as its beginning, epidemiologists and global health experts say. — Denise Roland, WSJ, 17 May 2022 But his advice was less clear-cut on other issues, like figuring out how crypto prices move. — Nate Dicamillo, Quartz, 13 May 2022 For example, royalty responsibilities in the comic book industry may not be as clear-cut as in book publishing. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2022 But staff—at least, male staff for whom business casual is clear-cut—roundly appreciated the new rules. — Jane Thier, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2022 Your customers expect a first-class user experience: sleek maps, a mobile experience, clear-cut and usable reporting tools. — Ami Daniel, Forbes, 12 Apr. 2022 The sales center for Latitude Watersound, as it is called, was on a corner across from a vast clear-cut expanse that was destined to be a shopping center. — Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2022 So while the pharmaceutical industry wrestles with its obligations, some ethicists think the answer is clear-cut: Keep the supply lines running. — Grace Browne, Wired, 18 Mar. 2022 Matt Ormsby, on the Freeman team, learned when to steer clear of victims' families. — Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 26 Apr. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Designed for landscape maintenance, this cordless handheld blower has the power to clear leaves and other debris from 15 feet away. — Taylor Giangregorio, Popular Mechanics, 18 May 2022 On the Democratic side, Cheri Beasley, the former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, has appeared to clear her 11-person field of significant rivals. — Marc Levy, BostonGlobe.com, 17 May 2022 Skies do clear overnight with lows in the low to mid-60s. — David Streit, Washington Post, 17 May 2022 After all, body washes are supposed to clear away dirt from your pores. — Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 May 2022 On April 21, a judge granted Brown’s request for removal and directed the sheriff’s office to go and clear the people out of the house. — Alex Mann, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2022 Earlier this month, county Supervisor Joel Anderson asked the Sheriff’s Department to clear the road. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2022 Yeah, those allegations are going to be very hard to clear. — CBS News, 15 May 2022 When the approaching train sounded the horns, Powell attempted to get up and clear the tracks but was not able to do so before he was struck. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 15 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun What made his and Marcus’s decision clear was the standard to which UVA’s players are held. — Alex Vejar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Oct. 2021 Eagles coach Denise Wolf said adjustments designed to improve clears and get better looks off corners helped keep her team in strong contention, particularly in a back-and-forth first half. — Rich Scherr, baltimoresun.com, 1 Nov. 2019 Although the public health guidelines are clear - steer clear of others - these workers are putting in longer shifts and taking on bigger workloads. — Author: Abha Bhattarai, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Apr. 2020 But steer clear of buying this for gamers looking for a traditional Sonic or Mario platformers: This might be a loser for them. — Lisa Marie Segarra, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2019 Brady adds that Kennedy, who has committed to play at Virginia Tech, was just as valuable on defending clears thanks to her strong footwork. — Brent Kennedy, baltimoresun.com, 10 June 2019 Off the beaches, Spanish mackerel will turn on as soon as winds drop and water clears, and cobia are also in the area around markers and other structure. — Frank Sargeant, AL.com, 20 Apr. 2018 Brady adds that Kennedy, who has committed to play at Virginia Tech, was just as valuable on defending clears thanks to her strong footwork. — Brent Kennedy, baltimoresun.com, 10 June 2019 Domagoj Vida had seven clears from the Croatian defense. — Rory Smith, New York Times, 12 July 2018 See More

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.

First Known Use of clear

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

Learn More About clear

Dictionary Entries Near clear

clean-up fund

clear

clearage

Statistics for clear

Last Updated

19 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Clear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clear. Accessed 21 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for clear

clear

adjective

\ ˈklir

clearer; clearest

Kids Definition of clear

(Entry 1 of 3)

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 sense 1, luminous clear sunlight

clear

verb

cleared; clearing

Kids Definition of clear (Entry 2 of 3)

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 sense 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

Kids Definition of clear (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : in a way that is easy to hear loud and clear

2 : all the way I could hear you clear across the room.

clear

adjective

\ ˈkli(ə)r

Medical Definition of clear

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a 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 (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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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clear

Definition of clear

Other Words from clear

Synonyms & Antonyms for clear

Choose the Right Synonym for clear

Examples of clear in a Sentence

First Known Use of clear

History and Etymology for clear

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Medical Definition of clear

Legal Definition of clear

WORD OF THE DAY

paradox

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clear

Definition of clear

Other Words from clear

Synonyms & Antonyms for clear

Choose the Right Synonym for clear

Examples of clear in a Sentence

Phrases Containing clear

First Known Use of clear

History and Etymology for clear

Learn More About clear

The first known use of clear was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near clear

Statistics for clear

Kids Definition of clear

Medical Definition of clear

Legal Definition of clear

WORD OF THE DAY

paradox

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