Clarification

/ˌklæɹɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ noun

noun ·Moderate ·High school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: The act of clarifying; the act or process of making clear or transparent by freeing visible impurities; particularly, the clearing or fining of liquid substances from impurities via the separation of the insoluble particles which prevent the liquid from being transparent.
  • Grammar: clarification is listed as noun.
  • Nearest alternatives: elucidation, disambiguation, allegorization, annotation.
  • Useful contrasts: ambiguity, complicating, complications.
  • Usage evidence: The first point that requires clarification is that the design was purely experimental.

How to use "clarification"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "clarification" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "clarification" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "clarification" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "clarification" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "clarification" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "elucidation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "clarification", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The act of clarifying; the act or process of making clear or transparent by freeing visible impurities; particularly, the clearing or fining of liquid substances from impurities via the separation of the insoluble particles which prevent the liquid from being transparent. countable, uncountable

    "The clarification of wine."

  2. 2
    the act of removing solid particles from a liquid wordnet
  3. 3
    The act of freeing from obscurities; disambiguation. countable, uncountable

    "Your ideas deserve clarification."

  4. 4
    an interpretation that removes obstacles to understanding wordnet
  5. 5
    An explanatory comment on, or question about, a point of obscurity. countable, uncountable

    "Let me make just one clarification: did he kiss her, or did she kiss him?"

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    A small piece of writing supplemental to a previously published text, intended to disambiguate, explain away obscurities, but not contradict or emend the text (as would a correction). countable, uncountable
  2. 7
    Clarity, transparency, mutual understanding; to be clear. countable, uncountable

    "So, just for clarification, you're saying your Chihuahua ate your homework?"

Example

"The first point that requires clarification is that the design was purely experimental."

Common questions

What does "clarification" mean?

The act of clarifying; the act or process of making clear or transparent by freeing visible impurities; particularly, the clearing or fining of liquid substances from impurities via the separation of the insoluble particles which prevent the liquid from being transparent.

What is a synonym for "clarification"?

Common synonyms include: elucidation, disambiguation, allegorization, annotation, apologia, biology term definition.

How do you use "clarification" in a sentence?

The first point that requires clarification is that the design was purely experimental.

How do you pronounce "clarification"?

Pronounced /ˌklæɹɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French clarification, from Latin clārificātiō.

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