clearlyclear‧ly /ˈklɪəli $ ˈklɪrli/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb 
Clearly, ignoring him had been a mistake.2in a way that is easy to see, hear, or understand: Please speak clearly. The economy was clearly failing.3in a way that is sensible: I wasn’t thinking clearly.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Clearly, the racial problems in America have no easy answers.
- I'm sorry I forgot - I'm just not thinking clearly today.
- Slow down and speak more clearly.
- The map clearly shows all the trails where bikes are allowed.
- As of now, the advantage clearly lies with Bush.
- It is for this reason that technical terms be clearly defined in this section of the proposal.
- It was clearly a case of workers trying to use union muscle to hold off reality.
- One clearly lay south of the road near the north-west gate, where Stukeley recorded urn burials and Artis noted stone coffins.
- Severe spina bifida was the first condition in which a policy of selective non-treatment was clearly enunciated.
- Some of these faces belonged to men and others were clearly women.
- These are taken-for-granted groupings which assume some form of unity within each category without ever clearly identifying the source of this unity.
- This debate will no doubt continue, and clearly no project is either a complete success or a dismal failure.
Longman Language Activatorvery easy to notice or understand
something that is obvious is very easy to notice or understand: · There is an obvious connection between the two murders.· "Why is she leaving?" "Well, it's obvious, isn't it?"it is obvious that: · It's obvious that something is wrong.· It was obvious from the start that my parents disliked Nancy.it is obvious to somebody: · It should be obvious to everyone that we need to make some changes.for obvious reasons (=when the reasons are so obvious that you do not need to say what they are): · For obvious reasons, we've had to cancel tonight's performance.
if it is clear that something is true, it is easy to notice that it is true and you feel sure about it and have no doubts: it is clear that: · It was clear that Lesley was very upset by what had happened.it is clear to somebody: · It was clear to me that my father was dying.it becomes clear: · It soon became clear that there were not enough police officers to deal with the situation.· It became clear after talking to him that Andrew wasn't going to cooperate.clear evidence/example/sign etc: · There is clear evidence that certain diets reduce your chances of getting cancer.· clear signs of an economic recovery
use this to emphasize that it is easy to see that something is true: · We're obviously going to need more help.· Clearly, the situation is more complicated than we first thought.· The children were clearly upset.· Obviously, this guy's a complete fraud.· The language of the article clearly reveals the author's bias.
to know that something must be true because you can see signs that show this: can tell (that): · I can tell that Mark isn't happy here.· Even though it was dark, she could tell it was him.can tell if: · I can't tell if this is dirty or not. Can you?can tell by: · I could tell by the way she walked that her knee was still bothering her.
if it is easy to see that something is true, it is very easy for anyone to notice or understand that fact: it is easy to see (that): · It's easy to see that he isn't well.· It was easy to see that Minna was embarrassed by her father's behaviour.it is easy to see how/why/what: · It's easy to see why this place is so popular.
a noticeable difference, change, improvement etc is easy to notice: noticeable change: · The most noticeable change was in my younger brother, who had grown quite a bit and was now a third-grader.noticeable improvement: · There has been a noticeable improvement in Jeremy's behaviour lately.barely/hardly/scarcely noticeable (=almost not noticeable): · Stop worrying about your pimples; they're barely noticeable.it is noticeable that: · It was quite noticeable that everyone had been invited except for Gail.
formal a perceptible difference, change, improvement etc can be noticed even though it is small: · The influence of Sartre is perceptible in Hogan's novel.perceptible change: · According to Reynolds, there has been a slight but perceptible change in public attitude lately.barely/scarcely/hardly perceptible (=almost not perceptible): · His lips curved in a barely perceptible smile.· When he asked if she wanted something to eat, she gave a barely perceptible nod.
a distinct or definite possibility, feeling, quality etc is noticeable and cannot be ignored: distinct/definite possibility: · A civil war is a distinct possibility.· Food shortages are so severe that mass starvation is a definite possibility.distinct advantage: · Trigg's height should give him a distinct advantage in his match against Robinson.distinct impression: · I had the distinct impression that Rachel was displeased.
obvious - used formally or in literature: · Even at the age of eight his musical talent was apparent.for no apparent reason (=without a clear reason): · Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, he turned his back and walked away.it is evident (from something) that: · From the look on Jill's face, it was evident that the news came as a complete shock.it became apparent/evident that: · It became evident that Lena wasn't going to be able to handle the project on her own.· After a few months, it became apparent that Vicky did not have a genuine interest in her job.
something or someone that is conspicuous is very easy to notice, because they are different from everything or everyone else around them: · Cuzco's few tourists are conspicuous as they explore the old cobbled streets.· Downtown business owners say they want the city's homeless shelter moved to a less conspicuous location.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The tasks will be clearly defined by the tutor. The boundaries of these areas should be clearly delineated. The cheese is easily distinguishable by its colour. It was clearly evident that the company was in financial difficulties. All school uniform should be clearly marked with the child’s name.
· His tone of voice clearly conveyed his disgust.
The tasks will be clearly defined by the tutor. The boundaries of these areas should be clearly delineated. The cheese is easily distinguishable by its colour. (=in a way that is obvious to other people)· He was clearly embarrassed about what had happened.
It was clearly evident that the company was in financial difficulties. (=express an idea or opinion in a way that other people can understand)· He expresses his views very clearly.
All school uniform should be clearly marked with the child’s name.· She was obviously relieved to have escaped.
(=well, with a lot of detail)· I remember clearly how I used to feel as a child in church on Sundays.
· She was simply too tired to think clearly.
· The fracture was clearly visible on the X-ray.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Along with the review of existing data, a clearly defined set of objectives needs to be defined.· It appeared to roll forward and unfold under its own natural momentum, to reach its clearly defined objectives.· Decisions about people's claims for benefits should be based on clearly defined principles and ascertainable facts.· It may seem, so far, that in terms of clearly defined benefits, the client comes off best out of the deal.· It has a number of clearly defined aims to pursue over the next three years.· Second, vendors could concentrate on clearly defined niche markets.· These phases and the difficulties of separating them reflect the fact that mental processes are not subject to clearly defined distinctions and boundaries.· The lines in his face had deepened into clearly defined wrinkles.
· The principle of the separation of powers is, for example, clearly evident in his views on administrative law.· In spite of their burdens, endearing qualities are often clearly evident.· Saline alluvial soils have high levels of exchangeable sodium and the effects of gleying are clearly evident.· The change of focus is clearly evident.· The need for reregulation superimposed upon any underlying tendency towards competitive freedom is clearly evident.· Some of these symptoms may be so extreme that the psychotic quality of the condition is clearly evident.· Normally the trainer will go through a reproduced interview and discuss the good and bad points which are usually clearly evident.· However falteringly, the Precautionary Principle is clearly evident in many of the decisions now being taken.
· Yes, it was clearly visible.· Professor Briedis holds on, pointing to the word napkins clearly visible on the box.· In most cases the thieves targeted cars which had been left with bags or other valuables clearly visible.· And it was no longer a point of light; it had begun to show a clearly visible disk.· The stone walls of the bottom part of the wall section are clearly visible but most of the structure is ivy-clad.· Against the pale background the plankton which swarmed on the surface were clearly visible.· Stick-mikes are the all-rounders of the audio world, but when used for video their size makes them clearly visible on shot.· The clearly visible wing bands enable individual birds to be identified and detailed records of their growth to be kept.
VERB· I was a general at the head of an army, and the objectives were clearly defined.· Your clearly defined mission statement will help you to focus on what you really want out of your entrepreneurial life.· The institution is expected to wait until investigations are complete and criminal responsibilities are more clearly defined before bringing charges.· The clearly defined black spots and red bands of courage that set the rainbow apart from other trout are truly remarkable.· The demarcation between black and rust is to be clearly defined.· Plot: It should be clearly defined and complex enough to keep the reader involved.· We need clearly defined job descriptions, a clear understanding of our role and the level of our personal accountability.· Exposure to any of those poses risks, although the amounts involved and the long-term effects are still not clearly defined.
· Despite differences between the member states, the development of the community clearly demonstrates a process of integration.· P J Desmond Clearly demonstrated the complexity of the issues in a well-argued presentation which suffered at times from being a little unfocussed.· Looking at the economic mess this country is in demonstrates clearly that we need some guidelines and we need them fast.· Thus, together, they demonstrate clearly some of the tensions within modern views about land and society.· The debacle of the 1971-3 property boom clearly demonstrated the significant extent to which city development was impacted by national economic policy.· Children in primary school playgrounds clearly demonstrate an instinctive pleasure in rhythm, pattern and rhyme.· This study demonstrates clearly the way many therapists are influenced by their colleagues to look for the abnormal.
· The function of the parliamentary state secretaries has not yet been clearly established.· She dressed Jane in rags to make her look bad to establish clearly the undesirability of another female in the house.· It has also been clearly established that in the course of time evaluation of particular variants can change or even be reversed.· This study was very focused, and clearly established the bottom line for obese men.· When their guilt was clearly established...· A starting point for any analysis of this nature must be to establish clearly how dreaming differs from waking consciousness.
· The cameras clearly identified the property as it lay on the counter, and the vendors who produced it.· Problems can be clearly identified through an audit, and solutions can be found to improve service and nutritional care.· The problem list facilitates communication among staff members and helps clearly identify exactly who has agreed to do what and when.· It has clearly identified goals and outcomes that are readily measured.· Students' Books and you will be reassured to note that grammar points are clearly identified, explained, and practised.· Public schools should not teach metaphysics without clearly identifying them as such.· The widening of awareness and gaining of new insight associated with the latter is clearly identified with the aesthetic domain.· Which is more important and can we clearly identify the key variable?
· This clearly indicates that, in these cases, the singularity in this region is a non-scalar curvature singularity.· Every act and movement of the Union commander... clearly indicated his purpose to discard bullets and depend upon bayonets.· This book clearly indicates the problems, and some of the ways they might be solved.· But progress has varied dramatically, as various demographic surveys clearly indicate.· Our analysis should clearly indicate the several blind alleys which Frey here explores.· While both developer subsidies passed, the narrow margin clearly indicates the voters of this valley are beginning to wise up.· On the other hand, they can clearly indicate differences in ways of doing something.· But the record clearly indicates that ordinance came about primarily due to the efforts of McKasson and Councilman Steve Leal.
· These large juries were clearly intended to provide a reasonably representative sample of popular opinion.· It is clearly intended to be an opening into another aspect of awareness.· In June 1177 he sent envoys to Paris bearing demands which were clearly intended to bring matters to a head.· Here he speaks to others and clearly intends them to hear.· They clearly intended to throw Haider into the canal.· Mr Major clearly intends to fight hard to minimise any constitutional changes.· A simple still life, then, but one that was clearly intended to exemplify the contemporary crisis in agriculture.
· Look for details on delivery charges, they should be clearly marked in all ads.· The radio controls are rather low in the center of the dash but are large and marked clearly enough.· They are clearly marked on the map from the campsite.· Trays are clearly marked with patient name and room number. 2.· The Daemonettes have the symbol of Slaanesh clearly marked on their foreheads.· In January, the teams finally ended their drawn-out discussions with a map that clearly marks the boundary.· All books and possessions, should be clearly marked with the owner's name and class.· Her editor said the second column had been sent to the Union-Tribune clearly marked as a repeat.
· One horrifying event she still clearly remembers occurred on Ferry Lane.· Some things he would remember clearly.· He remembered clearly that Murray had asked if he had any mail, and his instinct was to tell the truth.· I remember clearly that it was on 1 March that I went to see her.· We both remembered clearly the suit the man was wearing.· Small acts of kindness were clearly remembered years after the event.· I remember clearly the first time he played our first single.· In any case, I clearly remember one evening that was unambiguously happy.
· This may not seem much, but it indicates that it clearly sees the dangers of the competition.· Nicholas Humphrey, a Cambridge psychologist, was the first to see clearly the solution to this puzzle.· The writer must be universal in sympathy and an outcast by nature: only then can he see clearly.· Jouctas is also clearly seen, to due south, from the ancient harbor of Knossos.· The warm summer air was clear, and the smoke could be clearly seen billowing straight up.· By the time whole areas up to the sixteenth floor were visible, David Childs's intentions could be seen clearly.· Details of decorative paintwork were visible on his left side although only the lower portion of the work could be seen clearly.· He could not clearly see the picture that is called a word.
· Yesterday's trade figures showed clearly that export volumes were at record levels even in a worldwide economic downturn.· It clearly shows that revenue and total cost are treated as simple linear functions of the number of units produced and sold.· The Halifax's strategic approach is most clearly shown in two big steps it did not take.· As the Reidys' lives clearly show, sharing parenting helps to maintain mutual respect and closeness in a marriage.· Canon law was the statement of how society was to be governed and here Innocent's monarchic views are clearly shown.· These abilities have been most clearly shown for some epileptics whose corpus callosum has been severed.· Third, the results clearly show the non-equivalence between tariffs and quotas in the presence of oligopoly.· The results of numerous studies from around the world clearly show that both genes and the environment influence drinking behavior.
· But, equally, Labour has to state clearly that the productive economy is more important that monetary.· The bid document stated clearly that a private organizing committee, and not city government, would raise money and build venues.· Send us your clippings, stating clearly where they have come from and the date.· He clearly states that force is inherent in all substances-physical as well as spiritual.· Throughout the Student's Book, the key language of each unit is clearly stated at the beginning.· The development of overall program goals to be achieved by clearly stated objectives which relate to teacher needs and expectations. 3.· You will need an introduction which states clearly what you are talking about and why.· Clearly state what you want and make it worthwhile not to step over the line of intolerable behavior.
· She finds it hard to think clearly about Charles.· He could think clearly but could not speak or write.· Mr Major clearly thinks she is now ready for high office.· I have been unable to think clearly this entire day because you have taken up all the space in my head.· Pain prevented him from thinking clearly.· Fire kept flashing in the cave, dazzling her, and it was getting harder and harder to think clearly.· For a time her emotions stopped her thinking clearly until she forced herself to concentrate on the problem logically.· It is easier to think clearly with short sentences than long ones.
· On the other hand such propositions need to be clearly understood, and, sadly, often they are not.· Do the executives clearly understand why the consultant is there?· Bryn Terfel also deserves special mention as a stunning bass who is actually in tune, and whose words are clearly understood.· But Darrow understood clearly the meaning of injustice, and all his life fought against it.· The people of Britain will understand clearly that to achieve that they must vote Labour.· When expenses are itemized, feasibility of the project is more clearly understood.· I can very clearly understand obsessiveness, and the people who write to me see that I understand obsession and preciousness.· Had she not understood clearly, it might well have cost her her life.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Big Pit is about a male out of Blaenafon on the B4248, and is well signposted.
- There are well signposted walks, some of them offering views of the snow-topped Alps.
- A strongly worded White House statement on March 7 had appealed for international support in stopping the operation of the Rabta plant.
- His criticisms have become so predictable and strongly worded that they are counter-productive.
- In a carefully worded address, Wyman argued the paradoxical facts.
- In a strongly worded letter this week to several dozen television stations, Rep.
- On the eve of the talks, the two sides had exchanged strongly worded statements on the issue.
- Once again, the agency sent a strongly worded warning letter, but took no punitive action.
- Pete Wilson yesterday, drawing a strongly worded veto but defining the battle lines after months of debate and anguished decisions.
- The agreement was carefully worded to give some satisfaction to both parties.
WORD FAMILYnounclarityclearanceclearingclarificationclearnessverbclearclarifyadverbclearclearlyadjectiveclear ≠ unclear
1[sentence adverb] without any doubt SYN obviously: Clearly, ignoring him had been a mistake.2in a way that is easy to see, hear, or understand: Please speak clearly. The economy was clearly failing.3in a way that is sensible: I wasn’t thinking clearly.