clarity

noun

clar·​i·​ty ˈkler-ə-tē 

ˈkla-rə-

plural clarities

: the quality of being clear: such as

a

: the quality of being easily understood

The interview has been edited for clarity.

Mr. Darlington writes with wit and clarity.

—Frank J. Prial

b

: the state of having a full, detailed, and orderly mental grasp of something

She remembered that day with surprising clarity.

Employees are looking for some clarity [=understanding] on the company's new policies.

The first step is to ensure you have clarity of purpose. I've been shocked how often people who started an enterprise seem to forget their original purpose.

—Jacob Harold

… juggling so many creative balls at once that it's amazing he has such clarity of thought.

—Hannah Stephenson

"… You suddenly got a moment of clarity and you go, 'What the hell am I doing?' …"

—Ozzy Osbourne

c

: the quality of being easily seen or heard

Those dual 12-inch subwoofers … may produce volume, but the key to a good sound system is clarity.

—Jim Kerr

Displayed as a negative image for greater clarity, the stars look like grains of pepper sprinkled on a white tablecloth.

—Andrew Chaikin

d

: the quality of being easily seen through

the clarity of the crystal glass

a wine with excellent clarity and little sediment

e

: a lack of marks, spots, or blemishes

creams to improve skin clarity

Most diamonds have small imperfections called inclusions. These are usually microscopic. The fewer inclusions, the higher the clarity.

—Richmond (Virginia) Times Dispatch

Synonyms

• clearness
• limpidity
• limpidness
• lucency
• translucence
• translucency
• transparency

Examples of clarity in a Sentence

The essays are edited for clarity.

There is a lack of clarity in many legal documents.

She remembered what happened that day with surprising clarity.

I'm looking for greater clarity about what is expected of our students.

The clarity of the photographs was amazing.

The DVD has excellent clarity of sound.

the clarity of the lake's water

The vitamin is believed to improve skin clarity.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Cancer full moon on the 13th may bring clarity around your finances or self-worth, showing you where adjustments are needed. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2025

Still, its clarity prompted Corbet to use 16 mm film in some montages and then blow it up to 70 mm for exhibition. —John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2025

The process, called subjective refraction, involves the patient comparing lens options while their eye's focusing system and brain interpret the clarity of each one. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

Miłosz’s clarity about such questions is inspiring, all the more so because his situation in the Poland of 1947 was so extreme. —Robert Pinsky, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English clarite, from Latin claritat-, claritas, from clarus — see clarify

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing clarity

• clarity of purpose
• clarity of thought
• moment of clarity

Kids Definition

clarity

noun

clar·​i·​ty ˈklar-ət-ē 

: the quality or state of being clear

the clarity of their voices