Word forms: comparative clearer, superlative clearest, 3rd person singular presenttense clears, present participle clearing, past tense, past participle cleared
1. adjective
Something that is clear is easy to understand, see, or hear.
The book is clear, readable and adequately illustrated.
The space telescope has taken the clearest pictures ever of Pluto.
He repeated his answer, this time in a clear, firm tone of voice.
Synonyms: comprehensible, explicit, articulate, understandable More Synonyms of clear
clearlyadverb [usu ADV -ed/adj, oft ADVERB after verb]
Whales journey up the coast of Africa, clearly visible from the beach.
It was important for children to learn to express themselves clearly.
Synonyms: obviously, undoubtedly, evidently, distinctly More Synonyms of clear
Synonyms: legibly, distinctly More Synonyms of clear
Synonyms: audibly, distinctly, intelligibly, comprehensibly More Synonyms of clear
2. adjective
Something that is clear is obvious and impossible to be mistaken about.
It was a clear case of homicide.
The clear message of the scientific reports is that there should be a drastic cutin car use.
A spokesman said the British government's position is perfectly clear.
It became clear that I hadn't been able to convince Mike.
It's not clear whether the incident was an accident or deliberate.
Synonyms: obvious, plain, apparent, bold More Synonyms of clear
clearlyadverb
Clearly, the police cannot break the law in order to enforce it.
The London stock market clearly believes that the banks will cut their loan rates.
Synonyms: obviously, undoubtedly, evidently, distinctly More Synonyms of clear
Synonyms: legibly, distinctly More Synonyms of clear
Synonyms: audibly, distinctly, intelligibly, comprehensibly More Synonyms of clear
3. adjective
If you are clearabout something, you understand it completely.
It is important to be clear about what Chomsky is doing here. [+ about]
He is not entirely clear on how he will go about it.
People use scientific terms with no clear idea of their meaning.
[Also + on]
Synonyms: certain, sure, convinced, positive More Synonyms of clear
4. adjective
If your mind or your way of thinking is clear, you are able to think sensibly and reasonably, and you are not affected by confusionor by a drug such as alcohol.
She needed a clear head to carry out her instructions.
clearlyadverb [ADVERB after verb]
The only time I can think clearly is when I'm alone.
Synonyms: obviously, undoubtedly, evidently, distinctly More Synonyms of clear
Synonyms: legibly, distinctly More Synonyms of clear
Synonyms: audibly, distinctly, intelligibly, comprehensibly More Synonyms of clear
5. verb
To clear your mind or your head means to free it from confused thoughts or from the effectsof a drug such as alcohol.
He walked up Fifth Avenue to clear his head. [VERB noun]
Our therapists will show you how to clear your mind of worries. [VERB noun + of]
6. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A clear substance is one which you can see through and which has no colour, like clean water.
...a clear glass panel.
...a clear gel.
The water is clear and plenty of fish are visible.
Synonyms: transparent, see-through, translucent, crystalline More Synonyms of clear
7. graded adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A clear colour is bright and strong.
He has clear blue eyes and a dazzling smile.
8. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If a surface, place, or view is clear, it is free of unwanted objects or obstacles.
The runway is clear–go ahead and land.
All exits must be kept clear in case of fire or a bomb scare.
Caroline prefers her worktops to be clear of clutter. [+ of]
The windows will allow a clear view of the beach.
Synonyms: unobstructed, open, free, empty More Synonyms of clear
9. verb
When you clear an area or place or clear something from it, you remove things from it that you do not want to be there.
To clear the land and harvest the bananas they decided they needed to hire specialistmachinery. [VERB noun]
Stewart was trying to clear a path for the stretcher. [VERB noun]
Workers could not clear the tunnels of smoke. [VERB noun + of]
Firefighters were still clearing rubble from apartments damaged at the scene of theattack. [VERB noun + from]
[Also V n + off]
Synonyms: remove, clean, wipe, cleanse More Synonyms of clear
10. verb
If something or someone clears the way or the path for something to happen, they make it possible.
The Prime Minister resigned today, clearing the way for the formation of a new government. [VERB noun + for]
A court in Berlin has dropped the charges against him, clearing the way for him toleave Germany. [V n for n to-inf]
11. adjective
If it is a clear day or if the sky is clear, there is no mist, rain, or cloud.
On a clear day you can see the French coast.
The winter sky was clear.
12. verb
When fog or mist clears, it gradually disappears.
The early morning mist had cleared. [VERB]
13. adjective
Clear eyes look healthy, attractive, and shining.
...clear blue eyes.
Her eyes were clear and steady.
14. adjective
If your skin is clear, it is healthy and free from spots.
15. adjective
If you say that your conscience is clear, you mean you do not think you have done anything wrong.
Mr Garcia said his conscience was clear over the jail incidents.
I can look back on things with a clear conscience. I did everything I could.
Synonyms: untroubled, clean, pure, innocent More Synonyms of clear
16. adjective
If something or someone is clearof something else, it is not touching it or is a safe distance away from it.
As soon as he was clear of the terminal building he looked round. [+ of]
She placed a towel on a cluster of rocks just clear of the tidemark.
He lifted him clear of the deck with one arm.
17. adverb [usu V after ADV]
If you drive clear to a place, especially a place that is far away, you go all the way there without delays.
[US]
After that they drove clear over to St Paul.
18. verb
If an animal or person clears an object or clears a certain height, they jump over the object, or over something that height, withouttouching it.
He was the first vaulter to clear 6.00 metres. [VERB noun]
19. verb
When a bank clears a cheque or when a cheque clears, the bank agrees to pay the sum of money mentioned on it.
Polish banks can still take two or three weeks to clear a cheque. [VERB noun]
Allow time for the cheque to clear. [VERB]
20. verb [usually passive]
If a course of action is cleared, people in authority give permission for it to happen.
Linda Gradstein has this report from Jerusalem, which was cleared by an Israeli censor. [beVERB-ed]
Within an hour, the helicopter was cleared for take-off. [beVERB-ed + for]
Some of the pesticides found were not cleared for use in Britain. [beV-ed for n]
[Also beV-ed to-inf]
21. verb
If someone is cleared, they are proved to be not guilty of a crime or mistake.
She was cleared of murder and jailed for just five years for manslaughter. [beV-ed of n/v-ing]
In a final effort to clear her name, Eunice has written a book. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: absolve, acquit, vindicate, exonerate More Synonyms of clear
22. See also clearing, crystal clear
23.
See is that/do I make myself clear?
24.
See in the clear
25.
See to make sth clear
26.
See clear of
27.
See to steer/stay clear
28. to clear the air
29. the coast is clear
30. to clear the decks
31. loud and clear
32. to clear your throat
Phrasal verbs:
See clear away
See clear off
See clear out
See clear up
More Synonyms of clear
clear in British English
(klɪə)
adjective
1.
free from darkness or obscurity; bright
2.
(of weather) free from dullness or clouds
3.
transparent
clear water
4.
even and pure in tone or colour
clear blue
5.
without discoloration, blemish, or defect
a clear skin
6.
easy to see or hear; distinct
7.
free from doubt or confusion
his instructions are not clear
8. (postpositive)
certain in the mind; sure
are you clear?
9. (in combination)
perceptive, alert
clear-headed
10.
evident or obvious
it is clear that he won't come now
11.
(of sounds or the voice) not harsh or hoarse
12.
serene; calm
13.
without qualification or limitation; complete
a clear victory
14.
free of suspicion, guilt, or blame
a clear conscience
15.
free of obstruction; open
a clear passage
16.
free from debt or obligation
17.
(of money, profits, etc) without deduction; net
18.
emptied of freight or cargo
19.
(of timber) having a smooth, unblemished surface
20. Also: in clear
(of a message, etc) not in code
21. Also: light phonetics
denoting an (l) in whose articulation the main part of the tongue is brought forward giving the sound of a front-voweltimbre
22. showjumping
(of a round) ridden without any fences being knocked down or any points being lost
adverb
23.
in a clear or distinct manner
24.
completely or utterly
25. (postpositive; often foll byof)
not in contact (with); free
stand clear of the gates
noun
26.
a clear space
27. another word for clearance
28. in the clear
verb
29.
to make or become free from darkness, obscurity, etc
30. (intransitive)
a.
(of the weather) to become free from dullness, fog, rain, etc
b.
(of mist, fog, etc) to disappear
31. (transitive)
to free from impurity or blemish
32. (transitive)
to free from doubt or confusion
to clear one's mind
33. (transitive)
to rid of objects, obstructions, etc
34. (transitive)
to make or form (a path, way, etc) by removing obstructions
35. (transitive)
to free or remove (a person or thing) from something, such as suspicion, blame, orguilt
36. (transitive)
to move or pass by or over without contact or involvement
he cleared the wall easily
37. (transitive)
to rid (the throat) of phlegm or obstruction
38. (transitive)
to make or gain (money) as profit
39. (transitive; often foll byoff)
to discharge or settle (a debt)
40. (transitive)
to free (a debtor) from obligation
41. (intransitive)
(of a cheque) to pass through one's bank and be charged against one's account
42. banking
to settle accounts by exchanging (commercial documents) in a clearing house
43.
to permit (ships, aircraft, cargo, passengers, etc) to unload, disembark, depart, etc, after fulfilling the customs and other requirements, or (of ships, etc) to be permitted to unload, etc
44.
to obtain or give clearance
45. (transitive)
to obtain clearance from
46. (transitive) microscopy
to make (specimens) transparent by immersion in a fluid such as xylene
47. (transitive)
to permit (a person, company, etc) to see or handle classified information
48. (transitive) military
a.
to achieve transmission of (a signalled message) and acknowledgment of its receipt at its destination
b.
to decode (a message, etc)
49. (transitive) sport
to hit, kick, carry, or throw (the ball) out of the defence area
50. (transitive) computing
to remove (data) from a storage device and replace it with particular characters thatusually indicate zero
51. (transitive) New Zealand
to remove (trees, scrub, etc) from land
52. clear the air
53. clear the decks
Derived forms
clearable (ˈclearable)
adjective
clearer (ˈclearer)
noun
clearness (ˈclearness)
noun
Word origin
C13 clere, from Old French cler, from Latin clārus clear, bright, brilliant, illustrious
clear in American English
(klɪr)
adjective
1.
free from clouds or mist; bright; light
a clear day
2.
free from cloudiness, muddiness, etc.; transparent or pure; not turbid
a clear crystal, a clear red
3.
having no blemishes
a clear complexion
4.
not faint or blurred; easily seen or heard; sharply defined; distinct
a clear outline, clear tones
5.
perceiving acutely; keen or logical
a clear eye, a clear mind
6.
serene and calm
a clear countenance
7.
free from confusion or ambiguity; not obscure; easily understood
the meaning is clear
8.
obvious; unmistakable
a clear case of neglect
9.
certain; positive
to be clear on a point
10.
free from guilt or a charge of guilt; innocent
a clear conscience
11.
free from charges or deductions; net
to earn a clear $30,000
12.
free from debt or encumbrance
a clear title to the house
13.
free from qualification; absolute; complete
a clear victory
14.
free from contact; not entangled, confined, hindered, etc.
a style clear of cant
15.
free from impediment or obstruction; open
keep the fire lanes clear
16.
freed or emptied of freight or cargo
adverb
17.
in a clear manner; so as to be clear
18.
all the way; completely
it sank clear to the bottom
verb transitive
19.
to make clear or bright
20.
to free from impurities, blemishes, cloudiness, muddiness, etc.
21.
a.
to make intelligible, plain, or lucid; clarify
b.
to decode or decipher
22.
to rid of obstructions, entanglements, or obstacles; open
to clear a path through snow
23.
to get rid of; remove
24.
to empty or unload
to clear a freighter of cargo
25.
to free (a person or thing) of or from something
26.
to free from a charge or a suspicion of guilt; prove the innocence of; acquit
27.
to pass or leap over, by, etc.
28.
to pass without contact
the tug cleared the bridge
29.
to discharge (a debt) by paying it
30.
to give or get clearance for
31.
to be passed or approved by
the plan cleared the committee
32.
to go through (a customs office)
33.
to handle and deal with (letters, files, etc.) properly
34.
to make (a given amount) as profit or earnings not subject to charges or deductions;net
35.
to make (the sight) clear or sharp
36.
a.
to rid (the throat) of phlegm by hawking or coughing
b.
to rid (the voice) of hoarseness thus
37. Banking
to pass (a check, draft, etc.) through a clearinghouse
verb intransitive
38.
to become clear, unclouded, etc.
39.
to pass away; vanish
40.
to get clearance, as a ship leaving a port
41. Banking
to be accepted or received through a clearinghouse, as a check, draft, etc.
noun
42.
a clear space
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈevident
Idioms:
clear away
clear off
clear out
clear the air
clear up
in the clear
SYNONYMY NOTE: clear suggests freedom from cloudiness, haziness, muddiness, etc., either literally orfiguratively [a clear liquid, clear logic]; transparent suggests such clearness that objects on the other side (or by extension, meanings,etc.) may be seen distinctly [plate glass is transparent]; translucent implies the admission of light, but so diffused that objects on the other side cannotbe clearly distinguished [stained glass is translucent]; pellucid suggests the sparkling clearness of crystal [a slab of pellucid ice, pellucid writing]
OPPOSITES: opaque, cloudy, turbid
Derived forms
clearable (ˈclearable)
adjective
clearer (ˈclearer)
noun
clearly (ˈclearly)
adverb
clearness (ˈclearness)
noun
Word origin
ME cler < OFr < L clarus, orig., clear-sounding, hence clear, bright: for IE base see clamor
clear in Accounting
(klɪər)
adjective
(Accounting: Basic)
Clear profits are profits without any deduction.
If the warrants are never exercised, the proceeds from their sale will become a clear profit to the company.
The company's outgoings and revenues balanced out, leaving investment income as clear profit.
Clear profits are profits without any deduction.
More idioms containing
clear
clear the decks
the coast is clear
steer clear
in the clear
clear as mud
clear as day
clear as crystal
clear as a bell
clear the air
out of a clear blue sky
loud and clear
Examples of 'clear' in a sentence
clear
Quiet moments with your partner can clear minds and hearts.
The Sun (2016)
That they cleared this one is encouraging.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Too often he booted it clear when a pass was needed.
The Sun (2016)
Yet there are clearer reporting lines now and different sets of shareholders.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We are happy to make this clear.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The shadow is best seen when the sky is clear and the line of sight is long.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They were all clear to see.
The Sun (2017)
For the very rich, dispensing with art is less about raising money than clearing wall space.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He said: 'It was a clear penalty.
The Sun (2017)
Your mind is clear and your emotions calm so you can make the right choices.
The Sun (2012)
The front two finished nicely clear of the rest that day.
The Sun (2013)
They would be better off not penalising until they see a clear breach of the law.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Yet the final result is as clear as sea mist.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Then we could tuck into a steak with a clear conscience.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There is already one clear parallel between them.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Their flagship stores have a minimal amount of products on display and lots of clear space.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
To me it was like a bolt of lightning out of a clear sky.
Christianity Today (2000)
The whereabouts of the other three was not clear.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
So has this blizzard of data cleared the fog that clouds the path of borrowing costs?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
No other car maker has taken a clear position on this like us.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The scary thing is that this anger has erupted out of a largely clear blue sky.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
So stay clear of heirloom china early on.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The coroner was clear that the blame lay elsewhere.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Within four years the same ridge had been completely cleared for agriculture.
Radford, Tim & Leggett, Jeremy The Crisis of Life on Earth - our legacy from the second millenium (1990)
Why should we have to wait five weeks for a cheque to clear?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Police had to beat back the throng to clear a path for emergency vehicles.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
My skin is now absolutely clear and sparkling.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
With each passing month a clear victory in Syria appears farther from reach.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The battle was for a clear, distinct soundtrack.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There's a promotion in the offing so you make it clear you want to apply.
The Sun (2012)
He said: 'It does clear up the situation.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Word lists with
clear
Weather descriptions
In other languages
clear
British English: clear /klɪə/ ADJECTIVE
easily seen or understood If something is clear, it is easy to understand, to see, or to hear.
He gave us clear instructions on what to do.
American English: clear
Arabic: وَاضِح
Brazilian Portuguese: claro fácil de entender
Chinese: 清楚的
Croatian: jasan
Czech: jasný
Danish: klar tydelig
Dutch: duidelijk
European Spanish: claro
Finnish: selvä
French: clair net
German: klar
Greek: σαφής
Italian: chiaro
Japanese: 明白な
Korean: 맑은
Norwegian: klar
Polish: jasny zrozumiały
European Portuguese: claro fácil de entender
Romanian: clar
Russian: понятный
Latin American Spanish: claro transparente
Swedish: klar ofärgad
Thai: ชัดเจน
Turkish: açık hava vb
Ukrainian: ясний
Vietnamese: rõ ràng
British English: clear /klɪə/ ADJECTIVE
see-through If something like glass or plastic is clear, you can see through it.
The bottle was full of a clear liquid.
American English: clear
Arabic: واضِح
Brazilian Portuguese: transparente
Chinese: 透明的
Croatian: proziran
Czech: čirýtekutina
Danish: klar
Dutch: helder
European Spanish: transparente
Finnish: kirkas
French: transparent
German: klar
Greek: διαφανής
Italian: trasparente
Japanese: 透明な
Korean: 깨끗한
Norwegian: gjennomsiktig
Polish: przezroczysty
European Portuguese: transparente
Romanian: transparent
Russian: прозрачный
Latin American Spanish: transparente
Swedish: klar
Thai: ใส
Turkish: şeffaf
Ukrainian: прозорий
Vietnamese: trong suốt
British English: clear /klɪə/ ADJECTIVE
unobstructed If a place is clear, it does not have anything there that you do not want.
You can cross the road when it is clear.
American English: clear
Arabic: سالِك
Brazilian Portuguese: livre
Chinese: 畅通的
Croatian: prazan
Czech: uklizený
Danish: frit
Dutch: vrij
European Spanish: despejado
Finnish: tyhjä
French: libreaccessible
German: frei
Greek: ελεύθερος
Italian: vuoto
Japanese: 障害のない
Korean: 확실한
Norwegian: klar
Polish: pusty
European Portuguese: livre
Romanian: curat
Russian: без помех
Latin American Spanish: vacío
Swedish: fri
Thai: โล่ง
Turkish: açık
Ukrainian: вільний
Vietnamese: trống
British English: clear /klɪə/ VERB
When you clear a place, you take away all the things you do not want there.
She cleared the table.
American English: clear
Arabic: يُنَظِّفُ
Brazilian Portuguese: limpar
Chinese: 打扫
Croatian: očistiti
Czech: uklízetbyt
Danish: rydde
Dutch: opruimen
European Spanish: despejar
Finnish: tyhjentää
French: vider
German: aufräumen
Greek: καθαρίζω
Italian: pulire
Japanese: ･･･を片づける
Korean: 치우다
Norwegian: rense
Polish: sprzątnąć
European Portuguese: limpar
Romanian: a face ordine
Russian: очистить
Latin American Spanish: limpiar
Swedish: tömma
Thai: ทำให้โล่ง
Turkish: temizlemek
Ukrainian: прибирати
Vietnamese: dọn sạch
All related terms of 'clear'
all clear
The all clear is a signal that a dangerous situation , for example an air raid, has ended.
clear-cut
Something that is clear-cut is easy to recognize and quite distinct .
clear ice
glaze ice , esp. on aircraft
clear of
If something or someone is a certain amount clear of a competitor , they are that amount ahead of them in a competition or race .
clear off
If you tell someone to clear off , you are telling them rather rudely to go away.
clear out
If you tell someone to clear out of a place or to clear out , you are telling them rather rudely to leave the place.
clear up
When you clear up or clear a place up , you tidy things and put them away .
in clear
(of a message , etc) not in code
clear away
When you clear things away or clear away , you put away the things that you have been using, especially for eating or cooking .
clear-eyed
discerning ; perceptive
clear-fell
to cut down all of the trees in (a wood, part of a wood, or throughout an area of land)
clear focus
The focus of something is the main topic or main thing that it is concerned with.
clear path
A path that you take is a particular course of action or way of achieving something.
clear round
an instance of a horse and rider clearing all barriers without making any mistakes
steer clear
to deliberately avoid someone or something
clear benefit
The benefit of something is the help that you get from it or the advantage that results from it.
clear-headed
If you describe someone as clear-headed , you mean that they are sensible and think clearly , especially in difficult situations.
clear-sighted
If you describe someone as clear-sighted , you admire them because they are able to understand situations well and to make sensible judgments and decisions about them.
crystal-clear
Water that is crystal clear is absolutely clear and transparent like glass .
clear advantage
An advantage is something that puts you in a better position than other people.
clear as day
in a way that is very easy to see , or very obvious and easy to understand
clear as mud
confusing and difficult to understand
clear boundary
The boundaries of something such as a subject or activity are the limits that people think that it has.
clear direction
A direction is the general way in which something develops or progresses .
clear evidence
Evidence is anything that you see, experience, read, or are told that causes you to believe that something is true or has really happened.
clear guidance
Guidance is help and advice .
clear intention
An intention is an idea or plan of what you are going to do.
clear objective
Your objective is what you are trying to achieve .
in the clear
If someone is in the clear , they are not in danger , or are not blamed or suspected of anything.
clear a corner
In football , hockey , and some other sports, a corner is a free shot or kick taken from the corner of the pitch .
clear a table
When you clear a table , you remove things from it that you do not want to be there.
clear commitment
Commitment is a strong belief in an idea or system.
clear conscience
If you say that your conscience is clear , you mean you do not think you have done anything wrong .
clear explanation
If you give an explanation of something that has happened, you give people reasons for it, especially in an attempt to justify it.
clear instruction
An instruction is something that someone tells you to do.
clear opportunity
An opportunity is a situation in which it is possible for you to do something that you want to do.
clear the air
to deal openly with misunderstandings, problems, or jealousy , and try to get rid of them
clear-up rate
the percentage of a category of crimes that are solved
loud and clear
If you tell someone something loud and clear , you are very easily understood , either because your voice is very clear or because you express yourself very clearly .
steer clear of
to keep away from; shun
clear as a bell
very easy to hear and often understand
clear as crystal
obvious and very easy to understand
clear demonstration
A demonstration of a fact or situation is a clear proof of it.
clear the decks
to make sure that everything that you have been doing is completely finished , so that you are ready to start a more important task
clear understanding
If you have an understanding of something, you know how it works or know what it means.
clear your debts
A debt is a sum of money that you owe someone.
meaning is clear
The meaning of a word, expression, or gesture is the thing or idea that it refers to or represents and which can be explained using other words.
position is clear
Your position on a particular matter is your attitude towards it or your opinion of it.
the law is clear
The law is a system of rules that a society or government develops in order to deal with crime , business agreements, and social relationships. You can also use the law to refer to the people who work in this system.
to clear the air
If you do something to clear the air , you do it in order to resolve any problems or disagreements that there might be.