in the clear

phrase

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

Examples of in the clear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

SoCal likely in the clear A red blob on the hurricane center's forecast map well south of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula represents a developing tropical system, one that some models show could eventually impact California. — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Visitors can spend the day on its soft sandy beaches, swim in the clear Gulf waters, or head out on the water for sailing. — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2026

Because beamforming reports are broadcast back to the access point in the clear, a Wi-Fi adapter within range can passively record them in monitor mode. — New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026

Outside, two white statues depicting Alex and Lucas as young boys sit side-by-side at the edge of a swimming pool, their feet dipping in the clear water. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for in the clear

• auctioneer
• bandelier
• belvedere
• bombardier
• brigadier
• buccaneer
• cavalier
• chandelier
• chanticleer
• chevalier
• commandeer
• disappear