clarify

verb

clar·​i·​fy ˈkler-ə-ˌfī 

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 clarify

—Newsweek

clarification

ˌkler-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

ˌkla-rə-

noun

clarifier

ˈkler-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

ˈkla-rə-

noun

Synonyms

• clear
• distill
• distil
• filter
• fine
• garble
• purify

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 33-year-old also clarified his relationship with Sayed, denying any romantic involvement in a series of candid posts. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 26 Dec. 2024

This misunderstanding can result in inaccurate measurements if the recipe doesn't clarify further with weights or detailed instructions. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2024

Information about the injured is being clarified, but according to preliminary data, there are survivors. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024

In 2022, the Division 1 Board of Directors clarified that schools could request donors to provide funds for collectives, as long as those were not directed to a specific sport or athlete. —Bret Baier, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

clarify

verb

clar·​i·​fy ˈklar-ə-ˌfī 

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

ˌklar-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

clarifier

ˈklar-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

Medical Definition

clarify

verb

clar·​i·​fy ˈklar-ə-ˌfī 

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

ˌklar-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

clarifier

ˈklar-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun