Word family noun clarity clearance clearing clarification clearness adjective clear ≠ unclear verb clear clarify adverb clear clearly
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishclearclear1 /klɪə $ klɪr/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective (comparative clearer, superlative clearest) 1 easy to understandCLEAR/EASY TO UNDERSTAND expressed in a simple and direct way so that people understand → clarity, clearly clear instructions The question wasn’t very clear. It’s the clearest guide I’ve used.clear about The school is clear about its policy on bullying.clear about what/when/how etc Be very clear about what jobs should be completed, and by when.clear on The rules are quite clear on the point.clear to It was clear to him that Tolkien was a literary genius.make something clear The bishop made his views clear in a letter to the publisher. How can you make the meaning clearer?make it clear that Make it clear that you will not take sides.absolutely/abundantly clear Can I make it absolutely clear that we did not intend this to happen? Perhaps I tried to cover too much and didn’t make myself clear (=express myself well). If you don’t understand, it’s best to say so and get things clear. If I catch you smoking again, you’re grounded. Do I make myself clear? (=used when you are angry)clear picture/idea (=a good understanding) The report gave a clear picture of the property’s condition. He writes crystal clear (=very easy to understand) prose.2 impossible to doubtCLEAR/EASY TO UNDERSTAND impossible to doubt, question, or make a mistake about → clearly clear evidence of guilt They won by a clear majority.it is clear whether/why/how etc It’s not clear whether he shares her views.it is clear (that) It’s clear that the drug does benefit some patients. When it became clear that I was pregnant, he left me.clear case/example of something a clear case of sexual discrimination► see thesaurus at obvious3 CERTAINsure about somethingCLEAR/EASY TO UNDERSTAND feeling certain that you know or understand something → clearlyclear about/on Are you all clear now about what you have to do?clear whether/what/how etc I’m still not really clear how this machine works. Let me get this clear – you hadn’t seen her in three days? a clearer understanding of the issues4 thinkingTHINK ABOUT able to think sensibly and quickly → clarity, clearly She felt that her thinking was clearer now. In the morning, with a clear head, she’d tackle the problem.5 substance/liquidCC easy to see through, rather than coloured or dirty SYN transparent OPP cloudy, opaque clear glass bottles a crystal clear mountain lake 6 weatherSEE clean and fresh, without clouds or mist a clear June morning The skies were clear and blue.7 eyesHEALTHY healthy, very pure in colour, and without any redness clear blue eyes8 skinHEALTHY smooth and without any red spots a clear complexion9 easy to seeCLEAR/EASY TO SEE having details, edges, lines etc that are easy to see, or shapes that are easy to recognize → clarity a TV with a clear picture and high-quality sound10 easy to hearHEAR easy to hear, and therefore easy to understand → clarity, clearly a clear speaking voice The radio reception isn’t very clear. It’s a good recording; the sound is as clear as a bell (=very clear). 11 after taxEARN a clear amount of profit, wages etc is what is left after taxes have been paid on it SYN net I get £200 a week clear. Sam makes a clear $90,000 per year.12 → a clear conscience13 period of timeBUSY/HAVE A LOT TO DO without any planned activities or events Next Monday is clear; how about ten o'clock?14 not busyCOMPLETE complete or whole Allow three clear days for delivery.15 not blocked/coveredSEE not covered or blocked by anything that stops you from doing or seeing what you want The roads were fairly clear this morning.clear view/look From the top floor you get a clear view of the bay.clear of To prevent fires, the sides of the roads are kept clear of underbrush.16 → see your way clear (to doing something)17 → be clear of something18 → as clear as mud —clearness noun [uncountable] → all clear, → the coast is clear at coast1(2)COLLOCATIONSverbsmake something clearChildren may have difficulty in making their feelings clear.get something clear (=understand something properly)I was trying to get the idea clear in my mind.adverbsabsolutely/perfectly clearHis answer was perfectly clear.crystal clear (=extremely clear)The instructions on the packet are crystal clear.abundantly clear formal (=extremely clear)By July the scale of the problem had become abundantly clear.not entirely clearSam’s reasons for leaving were not entirely clear.nounsa clear picture/idea (=a good understanding)Some work experience should give you a clear idea of what the job involves.phrasesmake it clear thatThe tone of her voice made it clear that she was very angry.make yourself clear (=express yourself in a way that is easy to understand)Please tell me if I’m not making myself clear.be far from clear/be by no means clear (=be very unclear)The directions she gave me were far from clear. THESAURUS – Meaning 5: easy to see through, rather than coloured or dirtyeasy to see throughclear easy to see through, rather than coloured or dirtyThe table top is a piece of clear glass.a clear liquidThe water was so clear that you could see down to the bottom of the lake.transparent clear – used especially about materials and solid things. Transparent is a little more formal than clearFill a transparent plastic bottle with water.a piece of transparent filmMelt 2 ounces of butter in a large frying pan, and cook the onions until they are almost transparent.see-through made of a very thin material that you can see through – used especially about women’s clothesShe wore a black see-through dress.limpid literary clear – used especially about water or other liquids . This is a very formal word which is used in novels and literaturelimpid poolsShe gave her a golden flask of limpid olive oil. difficult to see throughopaque difficult to see throughThe shower has an opaque glass door. Examples from the Corpus
clear• Most of the photographs were sharp and clear.• What actually disturbed him is not so clear.• Even after two thousand years the writing is quite clear.• High-definition television is amazing. The picture is so clear.• I'll give you until Monday to turn in your essay. Is that clear?• Let me be clear about the reason.• It became clear after talking to him that Andrew wasn't going to cooperate.• A preference for country living is clear, and in some remoter rural districts there was even a significant growth in population.• On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji from Tokyo.• a beautiful clear day• The sounds were too indistinct for him to hear the words, but the tone was clear enough.• He had left clear footprints in the wet sand.• This makes the impossibility of sustaining an objective, scientific programme particularly clear in psychology.• The prospective meaning of to is thus perfectly clear in this use.• What is clear is that the most successful computerised personnel systems link payroll and personnel together.• I only realised later that the clear liquid in the glass must have been vodka.• Gun control laws are favored by a clear majority of Americans.• a clear mountain lake• Children need clear rules about what is allowed and what isn't• clear signs of an economic recovery• Probably the clearest statements on book selection are by Lester Asheim in a defence of book selection against the charge of censorship.• It was clear that Lesley was very upset by what had happened.• It soon became clear that there were not enough police officers to deal with the situation.• Perhaps I didn't make myself clear - there won't be a penny of extra money for this project.• It was clear to me that my father was dying.• Most of the 'help' messages you get on computers aren't at all clear to ordinary home users.• It may be clear to you, but I haven't got a clue what it means.• Let me get this clear - you weren't even there at the time?clear about what/when/how etc• Typical blockages to objective setting include the following: People are often not clear about what an objective actually is.• Be very clear about what chores are to be completed and when.• But they were not clear about what exactly is being applied for.• He was clear about what he wanted, but gave the dancers evocative images to help them understand and deepen their interpretations.• Finally, other people involved in the patient's care should be clear about what is happening.• For sure, though, she would be clear about how much she hated tying her self-esteem to the whims of idiots.• Morgan was less clear about what remedies the board might impose.• As with all radioactive methods, it is important to be clear about what sets the radioactive clock to zero.it is clear whether/why/how etc• To me, it is clear why more of them do not vote, but it is hard to explain.• As we look at this reply, it is clear why psychotherapy often takes so long. clear about/on• There are a few points that I'm not really clear on.• She had never been clear about Joseph.• They had originally been very clear about not giving land for peace.• But we should know why we are doing so and be clear about the reasons why.• Mario was always very clear on the subject, and I also talked at length with Peterson during the following year.• They are clear about their objectives; they know what they want.• You would think that the law is clear on this area.• Morgan was less clear about what remedies the board might impose.• Commentators need to be clear about whether they are enquiring into interviewees' reading or their politics.clear head• A clear head and diplomacy were vital as well as endless patience.• He has obvious managerial qualities, a clear head and quick feet.• The remedy is to keep a clear head and remain in control.• Although he enjoyed gambling, this was not a time for such activities; he needed a clear head at all times.• Hutton said last week that it took another 12 hours before Reagan was medically fit and clear headed enough to make decisions.• He felt clear headed enough to tackle the remainder of the long journey north.• Mario is able to keep a clear head even when things are going wrong.• They need a clear head - Lord grant them Your wisdom.crystal clear• Everything, it says, is not exactly crystal clear.• There was no wind, the air crystal clear.• The water is crystal clear and slow moving, usually neutral or a little acid.• Everything crystal clear but refusing to make sense.• Two points became crystal clear during the 1985-86 events.• I am confident that those results will pass a crystal clear judgment that people are afraid of the Labour party in London.• The meeting made it crystal clear that Carter was determined to go ahead with the withdrawal.• Such research makes it crystal clear that decisions about normality and abnormality are filled with biases. clear view/look• The snow had almost stopped falling and he had a clear view.• When Kaiser and I got there about ten minutes later, the Huey was just sitting there in a clearing looking fine.• The door into the alleyway was open, giving a clear view into the bakery.• When she came very near, I had a clear view of her face, turned brightly to the moonlight.• Federal guidelines require that tower personnel clearing aircraft for arrivals and departures have clear views of runways below them.• But I had a clear view of the table last night, and it wasn't there.• From the railway platform, we had a clear view seaward.• The toughest challenge for macroeconomists is to get a clear view through the clouds.clearclear2 ●●● S1 W2 verb 1 surface/place [transitive]TIDY to make somewhere emptier or tidier by removing things from it Snowplows have been out clearing the roads.clear something of something Large areas of land had been cleared of forest.clear something from something Workers began clearing wreckage from the tracks. Dad cleared a space (=moved things so there was room) in the garage for Jim’s tools. It’s Kelly’s turn to clear the table (=remove the dirty plates, forks etc).2 remove people [transitive]REMOVE to make people, cars etc leave a place Within minutes, police had cleared the area.clear somebody/something from something Crowds of demonstrators were cleared from the streets.3 crime/blame etc [transitive]INNOCENT/NOT GUILTY to prove that someone is not guilty of something Rawlings was cleared after new evidence was produced.clear somebody of (doing) something Maya was cleared of manslaughter. a long-running legal battle to clear his nameGrammar Clear is often passive in this meaning.4 permission [transitive] a) LET/ALLOWto give or get official permission for something to be done He was cleared by doctors to resume skating in August.clear something with somebody Defence policies must often be cleared with NATO allies first. b) LET/ALLOWto give official permission for a person, ship, or aircraft to enter or leave a country The plane took off as soon as it was cleared.5 → clear your throat6 weatherDN [intransitive] (also clear up) if the weather, sky, mist etc clears, it becomes better and there is more sun The haze usually clears by lunchtime. 7 liquid [intransitive]SEE if a liquid clears, it becomes more transparent and you can see through it Wait for the water to clear before adding any fish.8 cheque [intransitive, transitive]BFB if a cheque clears, or if a bank clears it, the bank allows the money to be paid into the account of the person whose name is on the cheque9 go over/pastJUMP [transitive] to go over a fence, wall etc without touching it, or to go past or through something and no longer be in it The plane barely cleared the fence at the end of the runway. Edwards cleared 18 feet in the pole vault. The plane cleared Chinese airspace.10 → clear a debt/loan11 → clear your head/mind12 face/expression [intransitive] literaryWORRIED if your face or expression clears, you stop looking worried or angry She looked embarrassed, but then her face cleared.13 → clear the way for something14 skinHEALTHY [intransitive] (also clear up) if your skin clears, red marks on it disappear The rash has finally cleared. 15 → clear the air16 → clear (something through) customs17 → clear the decks18 earn [transitive] informalEARN to earn a particular amount of money after taxes have been paid on it Diane clears £20,000 a year. → clear something ↔ away → clear off → clear out → clear up→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
clear• A good lawyer can clear $250,000 a year easily.• Wiley's business clears $300,000 a year.• Sandra cleared £50,000 last year.• A pin was inserted to stabilize the ligament, and scar tissue from the previous injury had to be cleared.• We're hoping that we can clear all our debts by the end of the year.• The fog usually clears around noon.• The report was cleared by the State Department.• Delta 7, you are cleared for takeoff.• The area around the palace had been cleared for the parade.• After Pagones was cleared in court, he sued his accusers.• This cheque should clear my overdraft.• Marshall was given his job back after being cleared of accusations that he abused drugs.• Jurors took less than a half-hour Thursday to clear professional football star Warren Moon of assaulting his wife.• Police cleared the building and carried out a controlled explosion.• A jury cleared the company of all criminal charges in connection with the accident.• He cleared the first two obstacles, but hit the top of the third.• There was a sprinkling of applause as the horses cleared the last fence.• So she was asked to undertake an elimination diet, which cleared these symptoms within a week.• The weather cleared too, and they were rowed diagonally south-west across the Sound of Sleat.clear something of something• Volunteers are working to clear the streets of sand, debris, and water.• The area was cleared of traffic as a safety precaution.clear somebody/something from something• Trucks have just finished clearing the wreck from the road. clear somebody of (doing) something• The president himself claimed not to be involved and refused to call Carville off, leaving the clear implication of approval.• Refreshing Breathing - to clear feelings of stagnation.• Spluttering and spitting and brushing at himself he dashed to a clearer part of the hall.• The offeror should always have a clear idea of the maximum price he wishes to pay and stick to it.• The jury cleared Johnson of the murder.• The city government has decided to clear the streets of the unsightly pedicab in the interests of humanity and prestige.• Without a clear notion of these two relationships, there may be no opportunity to proceed further.• Tom wants to make the effort but lacks a clear understanding of what he is supposed to do.clear something with somebody• I'll have to clear it with my boss first.clearclear3 ●●○ adverb 1 ESCAPEaway from something, or out of the way Firefighters pulled her clear of the wreckage. Please stand clear of the doors.2 → keep/stay/steer clear (of somebody/something)3 especially American English informalSEE used to emphasize a long distance You can see clear to the hills. → loud and clear at loud2(2)Examples from the Corpus
clear• I could clearly see a row of cottages at the top of the hill• Procedures for making insurance claims need to be more clearly defined.• The contract says quite clearly that the landlord must pay for all repairs to the house.• Firefighters pulled the woman clear of the wreckage.clearclear4 noun → in the clearFrom Longman Business Dictionaryclearclear /klɪəklɪr/ verb [transitive]1to give permission for a product to be sold or for a deal to be madeThe drug has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration.Venezuela’s congress cleared the sale of the state telephone company CANTV.2BANKINGFINANCE clear trades/transactions to make payments relating to trading on financial markets or trading of goodsAbout 1,000 small brokerage firms are using the company to clear and settle their trades.It takes ages for the banks here to clear transactions and it’s very expensive.3BANKING clear a cheque if a bank clears a cheque, or if a cheque clears, the money is sent from one bank to another and the cheque is paidThe fraud relied on managers returning money before the original cheque had cleared.4COMMERCE clear something through Customs/clear Customs to be allowed to take things through CUSTOMSBribery is needed to get goods cleared through customs.They cleared customs, but never boarded their flight.5FINANCE clear a debt to pay a debt in fullThe Ivory Coast cleared its debts of $42m. 6informal to earn a particular amount of money, or to make a particular amount of profitDiane clears £20,000 a year.7COMMERCEto sell goods cheaply in order to get rid of themWe need to clear the old stock before we can bring in this season’s range of products. → clear something → out→ See Verb tableOrigin clear1 (1200-1300) Old French cler, from Latin clarus “clear, bright” 