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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
DiSalvo clarified that her challenges were independent of her affiliation with the group. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 The sun is activating your third house of communication, emphasizing your ideas and clarifying your messages. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 The report outlined specific actions, such as closing the loophole in the 2018 farm bill that legalized delta-8 THC and clarifying that all forms of THC are subject to regulation under the Controlled Substances Act. Marin Cogan, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024 Earlier this year, the Michigan Supreme Court clarified a previous ruling to say that owners can make a claim on leftover proceeds from tax foreclosure sales retroactively, so before 2020. Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clarify 

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 21 Nov. 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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