clarify

verb

clar·​i·​fy ˈkler-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce clarify (audio)
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 clarifyNewsweek
clarification noun
clarifier noun

Examples of clarify in a Sentence

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 The concrete structure is expected to wear its weathering on its sleeve, so to speak, but the exterior is actually expected to clarify — refine and cure with age — within its first decade or two. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024 The Iranian army said Saturday morning that two soldiers were killed in the strikes, without clarifying where the deaths happened. Helen Regan, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024 Escalera advises employees experiencing burnout to openly communicate with their manager to clarify priorities. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024 It was also updated to clarify that Johnson & Johnson and Microsoft are part of the working group. Worth Sparkman, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clarify 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clarify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of clarify was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near clarify

Cite this Entry

“Clarify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarify. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

clarify

verb
clar·​i·​fy ˈklar-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce clarify (audio)
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 noun
clarifier noun

Medical Definition

clarify

verb
clar·​i·​fy ˈklar-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce clarify (audio)
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 noun
clarifier noun

More from Merriam-Webster on clarify

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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