clear

1 of 4

adjective

1
a
: bright, luminous
bonfires clear and brightShakespeare
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

clear

2 of 4

adverb

1
: in a clear manner
to cry loud and clear
2
: all the way
drove clear across the state

clear

3 of 4

verb

cleared; clearing; clears

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 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
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 adjective

clear

4 of 4

noun

1
: a clear space or part
2
: a high arcing shot over an opponent's head in badminton
Phrases
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
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
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

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
This is a clear measure of sustainability’s power to drive purchasing decisions, making environmental consciousness a must for businesses everywhere. Jay Deutsch, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 Stanton is good and is having a great postseason, but the edge here is clear. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
Adverb
That’s because inflammation helps your body clear damaged and dead tissue and harmful organisms like bacteria, Ashley Rawlins, PT, DPT, a physical therapist and clinical specialist at Origin, told Health. Korin Miller, Health, 4 July 2024 Some international investors have also steered clear over concerns about U.S.-China tensions. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2024
Verb
In Latest 2 Surveys—As Most Polls Show Razor-Thin Race ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ Reviews Secure A 100% Rotten Sony Spider-Verse However, much of this unique habitat has been continuously cleared for plantations like coffee, cardamom and ginger, since British colonization. Scott Travers, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 Bravo and NBCUniversal conducted an outside investigation into misconduct claims against Cohen, and he was cleared. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 26 Oct. 2024
Noun
Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation previously had issues with non-compliance relating to incomplete audited accounts for 2020, but were subsequently deemed to be in the clear. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 Vice President Kamala Harris is making her stance on the Second Amendment clear. Lizzie Hyman, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clear 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clear.' 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

Adjective, Adverb, Verb, and Noun

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

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

1694, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near clear

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

clear

1 of 4 adjective
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 adjective
clearer noun

clear

4 of 4 noun
: a clear space or part
Etymology

Adjective

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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on clear

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