clear

adjective

ˈklir 

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

Synonyms of clear

• obvious
• evident
• apparent
• unmistakable
• straightforward
• distinct

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

Aiyuk’s latest message was clear in its frustration but not always in its wording. —Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026

Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026

Pashinyan celebrated his victory as early results made clear the outcome. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2026

The couple claimed in a lawsuit that the risks of Doris' stem cell procedure were not made clear. —Carrie Teegardin, AJC.com, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English clere, from Anglo-French cler, from Latin clarus clear, bright; akin to Latin calare to call — more at low entry 3

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing clear

• all clear
• (as) clear as a bell
• as clear as day/daylight/anything
• as clear as mud
• clear-air turbulence
• clear away
• clear conscience
• clear-cut
• clear-cutting
• clear-eyed
• clear-felling
• clear head
• clear of
• clear off
• clear oneself
• clear one's name
• clear one's throat
• clear out
• clear sailing
• clear-sighted
• clear someone's name
• clear the air
• clear the atmosphere
• clear the cobwebs
• clear the decks
• clear the way
• clear up
• clear up (something)
• crystal clear
• free and clear
• in the clear
• is that clear?
• let's get one thing perfectly clear
• loud and clear
• make oneself clear
• see one's way (clear) to
• steer clear
• the all clear
• the coast is clear

Rhymes for clear

• beer
• bier
• cheer
• dear
• deer
• drear
• ear
• fear
• fier
• gear
• hear
• here

Kids Definition

clear

1 of 4 adjective

ˈkli(ə)r 

1

a

: shining brightly : luminous

clear sunlight

b

: free from clouds, haze, dust, or mist

a clear day

c

: free from trouble : serene

a clear gaze

2

a

: free of blemishes

a clear complexion

b

: easily seen through : transparent

clear glass

3

: easily heard, seen, or understood

a clear voice

the meaning was clear

4

: free from doubt : sure

a clear understanding of the issue

5

: free from guilt : innocent

a clear conscience

6

: free from restriction or entanglement

a clear profit

the coast is clear

clearness noun

clear

2 of 4 adverb

1

: in a clear manner

shout loud and clear

2

: all the way : completely

can see clear to the mountains

the hole goes clear through

clear

3 of 4 verb

1

a

: to make or become clear

clear the water by filtering

the sky is clearing

b

: to go away : vanish

clouds cleared away after the rain

2

: to free from blame

cleared my name

3

: to make understandable : explain

cleared the matter up for me

4

a

: to free from things blocking

clear land for crops

clear a path

b

: to remove stored or displayed data from (as a computer or calculator)

5

: to give or get approval

the proposal cleared the committee

6

: to pay in full : settle

clear an account

7

: to go through customs

8

: net entry 4

cleared a profit

9

: to get rid of : remove

clear the dishes from the table

10

: to go over or by without touching

cleared the fence

clearable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

clearer

-ər 

noun

clear

4 of 4 noun

: a clear space or part

Etymology

Middle English clere "clear, bright," from early French cler (same meaning), from Latin clarus "clear, bright" — related to clairvoyance, declare

Medical Definition

clear

1 of 2 adjective

ˈkli(ə)r 

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

2 of 2 transitive verb

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

Legal Definition

clear

adjective

1

: unencumbered by outstanding claims or interests

a search showed the title was clear

2

: free from doubt or ambiguity