clear
Americanadjective
-
clearer,
comparative
-
clearest
superlative
-
free from darkness, obscurity, or cloudiness; light.
a clear day.
-
transparent; pellucid.
clear water.
- Synonyms:
- diaphanous, crystalline, limpid, translucent
-
without discoloration, defect, or blemish: a clear pane of glass.
a clear complexion;
a clear pane of glass.
-
of a pure, even color.
a clear yellow.
-
easily seen; sharply defined.
a clear outline.
-
distinctly perceptible to the ear; easily heard.
a clear sound.
-
free from hoarse, harsh, or rasping qualities: clear as a bell.
a clear voice;
clear as a bell.
-
easily understood; without ambiguity.
clear, concise answers.
- Synonyms:
- perspicuous, plain, lucid, comprehensible, intelligible
- Antonyms:
- obscure
-
entirely comprehensible; completely understood.
The ultimate causes of inflation may never be clear.
-
distinct; evident; plain.
a clear case of misbehavior.
- Synonyms:
- unmistakable, apparent, manifest, obvious
- Antonyms:
- obscure
-
free from confusion, uncertainty, or doubt.
clear thinking.
-
perceiving or discerning distinctly.
a clear mind.
-
convinced; certain.
He was not clear on the first point that she made but agreed with the others.
- Antonyms:
- uncertain
-
free from anything that would disturb or blame.
a clear conscience.
-
free from suspicion of guilt or complicity.
She was entirely clear of the crime until one of her accomplices turned informer.
-
serene; calm; untroubled.
a clear brow.
-
free from obstructions or obstacles; open: a clear path.
a clear view;
a clear path.
-
free from entanglement or contact: She managed to keep her dress clear of the mud.
He kept clear of her after the argument.
She managed to keep her dress clear of the mud.
- Synonyms:
- unencumbered, unhampered
-
without limitation or qualification; absolute.
a clear victory.
-
free from obligation, liability, or debt: Municipal bonds were returning as much as 9 percent, clear of taxes.
After twenty years, our house is clear of the mortgage.
Municipal bonds were returning as much as 9 percent, clear of taxes.
-
without deduction or diminution.
a clear $1000 after taxes.
-
freed or emptied of contents, cargo, etc.
-
(of tree trunks or timber) free from branches, knots, or other protruding or rough parts.
The trunk was clear for 20 feet above the ground.
-
Phonetics.
-
(of an l- sound) having front-vowel resonance; situated before a vowel in the same syllable.
-
(of a speech sound) produced without frication or aspiration.
-
-
(in cryptography) not coded or enciphered.
-
bright; shining.
a clear flame.
-
Obsolete. illustrious.
adverb
-
in a clear or distinct manner; clearly.
-
so as not to be in contact with or near; away (often followed byof ).
Stand clear of the closing doors.
-
Informal. entirely; completely; clean.
to cut a piece clear off;
to climb clear to the top;
to run clear off the road.
verb (used with object)
-
clears,
present (3rd person singular)
-
cleared,
past participle, past
-
clearing
present participle
-
to remove people or objects from (usually followed byof ): to clear the table of dishes.
to clear a courtroom of photographers;
to clear the table of dishes.
-
to remove (people or objects) (usually followed byfrom ): to clear the dishes from the table.
to clear the photographers from the courtroom;
to clear the dishes from the table.
-
to make clear, transparent, or pellucid; free from cloudiness or impurities.
to clear a liquid by means of a filter.
-
to make free of confusion, doubt, or uncertainty.
He spoke to his supervisor to clear his mind about their working relationship.
-
to make understandable or lucid; free from ambiguity or obscurity.
She rephrased the report in order to clear the essential points.
-
to make (a path, road, etc.) by removing any obstruction.
He had to cut away the underbrush to clear a path.
-
to eat all the food on.
to clear one's plate.
-
to relieve (the throat) of some obstruction, as phlegm, by forcing air through the larynx, usually producing a rasping sound.
-
to make a similar rasping noise in (the throat), as to express disapproval or to attract attention.
-
to remove from (the brow) any traces of tension or anxiety, as folds or wrinkles.
-
to free of anything defamatory or discrediting.
to clear one's name.
-
to free from suspicion, accusation, or imputation of guilt; prove or declare innocent.
The jury cleared the defendant of the charge.
-
to remove instructions or data from (a computer, calculator, etc.).
-
to pass by or over without contact or entanglement: The fisherman cleared his line.
The ship cleared the reef.
The fisherman cleared his line.
-
to pass through or away from: The bill cleared the Senate.
The ship cleared the harbor.
The bill cleared the Senate.
-
to pass (checks or other commercial paper) through a clearinghouse.
-
(of mail, telephone calls, etc.) to process, handle, reroute, etc..
The dispatcher clears hundreds of items each day.
-
to free from debt: The widow had to borrow money to clear her husband's estate.
Just a few dollars more would clear him.
The widow had to borrow money to clear her husband's estate.
-
to gain as clear profit.
to clear $1000 in a transaction.
-
to pay (a debt) in full.
-
to receive authorization before taking action on.
You'll have to clear your plan with headquarters.
-
to give clearance to; authorize.
The chairperson has to clear our speeches before the meeting.
-
to authorize (a person, agency, etc.) to use classified information, documents, etc..
He has finally been cleared for highly classified information.
-
to remove trees, buildings, or other obstructions from (land), as for farming or construction.
-
to free (a ship, cargo, etc.) from legal detention at a port by satisfying customs and other requirements.
-
to try or otherwise dispose of (the cases awaiting court action).
to clear the docket.
-
(of a commodity) to buy up or sell out the existing supply of.
-
Skin Diving. to drain or expel unwanted water in: to clear a regulator and face mask while underwater.
to clear a snorkel by sharp exhalations;
to clear a regulator and face mask while underwater.
-
Bridge. to establish one or more winning cards in (a given suit) by leading the suit until all the outstanding cards have been drawn.
He cleared the heart suit before attacking spades.
verb (used without object)
-
clears,
present (3rd person singular)
-
cleared,
past participle, past
-
clearing
present participle
-
to become clear.
-
to exchange checks and bills, and settle balances, as in a clearinghouse.
-
to become free from doubt, anxiety, misunderstanding, etc..
His mind cleared when he heard the truth.
-
to pass an authority for review, approval, etc..
The bill must clear through the assembly before it becomes legal.
-
to remove dishes, food, etc., from a table following a meal.
Is it my turn to clear?
-
to remove previously inserted instructions or data from a computer, calculator, typewriter, or the like.
-
Nautical.
-
to comply with customs and other requirements legally imposed on entering or leaving a port (often followed by in orout ).
-
to leave port after having complied with such requirements.
-
-
(of a commodity for sale) to sell out; become bought out.
Wheat cleared rapidly.
verb phrase
-
clear away / off
-
to remove in order to make room.
-
to leave; escape.
We were warned to clear off before the floods came.
-
to disappear; vanish.
When the smoke cleared away, we saw that the house was in ruins.
-
-
clear up
-
to make clear; explain; solve.
-
to put in order; tidy up.
-
to become better or brighter, as the weather.
-
-
clear out
-
to remove the contents of.
Clear out the closet.
-
to remove; take away.
Clear out your clothes from the closet.
-
to go away, especially quickly or abruptly.
-
to drive or force out.
The police cleared out the pickets by force.
-
idioms
adjective
-
free from darkness or obscurity; bright
-
(of weather) free from dullness or clouds
-
transparent
clear water
-
even and pure in tone or colour
clear blue
-
without discoloration, blemish, or defect
a clear skin
-
easy to see or hear; distinct
-
free from doubt or confusion
his instructions are not clear
-
(postpositive) certain in the mind; sure
are you clear?
-
(in combination) perceptive, alert
clear-headed
-
evident or obvious
it is clear that he won't come now
-
(of sounds or the voice) not harsh or hoarse
-
serene; calm
-
without qualification or limitation; complete
a clear victory
-
free of suspicion, guilt, or blame
a clear conscience
-
free of obstruction; open
a clear passage
-
free from debt or obligation
-
(of money, profits, etc) without deduction; net
-
emptied of freight or cargo
-
(of timber) having a smooth, unblemished surface
-
Also: in clear. (of a message, etc) not in code
-
Also: light. phonetics denoting an (l) in whose articulation the main part of the tongue is brought forward giving the sound of a front-vowel timbre
-
showjumping (of a round) ridden without any fences being knocked down or any points being lost
adverb
-
in a clear or distinct manner
-
completely or utterly
-
not in contact (with); free
stand clear of the gates
noun
-
a clear space
-
another word for clearance
-
-
free of suspicion, guilt, or blame
-
sport able to receive a pass without being tackled
-
verb
-
to make or become free from darkness, obscurity, etc
-
(intr)
-
(of the weather) to become free from dullness, fog, rain, etc
-
(of mist, fog, etc) to disappear
-
-
(tr) to free from impurity or blemish
-
(tr) to free from doubt or confusion
to clear one's mind
-
(tr) to rid of objects, obstructions, etc
-
(tr) to make or form (a path, way, etc) by removing obstructions
-
(tr) to free or remove (a person or thing) from something, such as suspicion, blame, or guilt
-
(tr) to move or pass by or over without contact or involvement
he cleared the wall easily
-
(tr) to rid (the throat) of phlegm or obstruction
-
(tr) to make or gain (money) as profit
-
to discharge or settle (a debt)
-
(tr) to free (a debtor) from obligation
-
(intr) (of a cheque) to pass through one's bank and be charged against one's account
-
banking to settle accounts by exchanging (commercial documents) in a clearing house
-
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
-
to obtain or give (clearance)
-
(tr) to obtain clearance from
-
(tr) microscopy to make (specimens) transparent by immersion in a fluid such as xylene
-
(tr) to permit (a person, company, etc) to see or handle classified information
-
(tr) military
-
to achieve transmission of (a signalled message) and acknowledgment of its receipt at its destination
-
to decode (a message, etc)
-
-
(tr) sport to hit, kick, carry, or throw (the ball) out of the defence area
-
(tr) computing to remove data from a storage device and replace it with particular characters that usually indicate zero
-
(tr) to remove (trees, scrub, etc) from land
-
See air
-
to prepare for action, as by removing obstacles from a field of activity or combat
Synonym Usage
See clean.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
clearernoun
-
clearnessnoun
-
preclearverb (used with object)
-
clearableadjective
-
half-clearadjective
-
unclearadjective
-
unclearableadjective
-
unclearedadjective
-
well-clearedadjective
-
half-clearlyadverb
-
unclearlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Adjectives
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
clearsimple
-
clearssimple
-
have clearedperfect
-
has clearedperfect
-
am clearingprogressive
-
are clearingprogressive
-
is clearingprogressive
-
have been clearingperfect progressive
-
has been clearingperfect progressive
Past
-
clearedsimple
-
had clearedperfect
-
was clearingprogressive
-
were clearingprogressive
-
had been clearingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of clear
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English clere, from Anglo-French, Old French cler, from Latin clārus
Explanation
Clear means clean and uncluttered, without distractions or confusion. If your explanation of relativity is clear, it's easy to understand. If the sky’s clear, there isn't a cloud to be seen. As a verb, clear implies getting rid of obstacles. You can clear your head (get rid of anxiety and upsetting thoughts); clear the way (remove obstacles in your path); or clear the trees to make a clearing where you can pitch your tent. If you own your car "free and clear," it's all yours — you don't owe anything on it. When you arrive in a country, you clear customs when officials check your papers and belongings and send you on your way.
Vocabulary lists containing clear
Common Core Grade 5, List 2
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World Cup Vocabulary
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"Haikus"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But as things get going, it becomes painfully clear that’s Ullom’s point.
From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2026
A clear U-shaped pattern appeared across the body.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 24, 2026
It was not immediately clear if the fire would impact operations for Metrolink, which passes the area.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
It was not clear whether some Teslas were counted in both recalls.
From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026
Sunlight assaults my eyes and I blink to clear them.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
These days the bond market clears at a higher yield.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 7, 2026
November 18: The FAA clears the 737 MAX to resume service.
From Barron's ● Aug. 3, 2026
Once a candidate clears those bars, their name will go to the General Assembly of all UN member states for confirmation.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
Among the waste products the system clears are proteins called amyloid and tau, the deposits that accumulate in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
Agent Fiona clears her throat and steps to the center of the stage.
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
But the direction of travel is becoming clearer.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
Tickets that appear unavailable one day could go on the market weeks later as organizers gain a clearer picture of setups.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
Applying them to inertial confinement fusion may allow researchers to triple energy gain, while a clearer picture of diamond's behavior at high pressure could improve models of planetary interiors.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026
However, the bank believes that a recent acceleration in enterprise AI spending suggests that the earnings impact of AI adoption should become clearer in coming quarters.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 17, 2026
I should have liked something clearer; but Mrs. Fairfax either could not, or would not, give me more explicit information of the origin and nature of Mr. Rochester’s trials.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
His decision was the clearest example of the seismic shift that is permanently altering the shape of football careers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
One way to minimize that is “communicating the product in the best, clearest way possible,” Abdelghany said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
Erling Haaland is perhaps the clearest recent example.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026
They paint the clearest picture yet of the off-site medical care received by immigrants in the custody of the federal government before the payment system fractured.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
America's leaders celebrated the Berlin Tunnel as one of the CIA's clearest victories in the Cold War—and evidence of the West's superior technological capabilities and spycraft.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
Last month, Dawn Buckingham, who leads the General Land Office, sent a cease and desist letter to CBP and a federal contractor she said had illegally cleared GLO-owned land in Presidio County.
From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2026
Workers at checkout counters have told her, “No way! That’s not going to work,” only to ask where she got it after the payment cleared.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 22, 2026
In 2018, Beijing cleared the way for researchers at state institutes and universities to start companies and market their technology.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
A bill that gives the Angels incentives to revert to Anaheim in their name has cleared both houses of the state legislature.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
It wasn’t a question, really, and the declaration cleared my own doubt.
From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff
A California man who spent more than three decades behind bars for a murder he did not commit has been exonerated, clearing the way for his release.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026
Syria took a major step in clearing up its one-time suspected nuclear weapons program, allowing U.N. atomic inspectors to verify nuclear material believed to have been stored in the country for at least two decades.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
Musk has already begun clearing land in the area, prompting some residents to make difficult decisions about whether they’ll stay or go.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 17, 2026
You can contact your university before you start to ask about changing course, or you can apply for courses at other universities through clearing.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
Frederick stepped from behind a tree into the clearing, his arms trembling as he held up a bow and arrow.
From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
