clarify
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to make (an idea, statement, etc.) clear or intelligible; to free from ambiguity.
- Synonyms:
- resolve , elucidate , illuminate , explain
-
to remove solid matter from (a liquid); to make into a clear or pellucid liquid.
-
to free (the mind, intelligence, etc.) from confusion; revive.
The short nap clarified his thoughts.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to make or become clear or easy to understand
-
to make or become free of impurities
-
to make (fat, butter, etc) clear by heating, etc, or (of fat, etc) to become clear as a result of such a process
Other Word Forms
- clarification noun
- clarifier noun
- nonclarified adjective
- unclarified adjective
- unclarifying adjective
Etymology
Origin of clarify
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French clarifier, from Late Latin clārificāre, equivalent to Latin clār(us) “clear” + -ificāre -ify
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.
“They would use real apple juice or clarified apple juice or they would use an eau de vie from Europe.”
From Salon
If BH* objects are real, they could help clarify another long-standing puzzle.
From Science Daily
This will help clarify how often these drugs are being prescribed to women of childbearing age and what risks this may pose to unborn children.
From Science Daily
El Pais daily reported that the Civil Guard had searched the convent "to clarify if the former nuns had irregularly sold pieces of sacred art".
From Barron's
And former Barcelona youth player Xavier Vilajoana, who reportedly is bidding to be its next president, called on the club to clarify how the deal had come about in a post on X.
From BBC
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.
