Clear

/klɪə/ adj, adv, noun, verb

adj, adv, noun, verb ·Top 500 ·Elementary level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: Full extent; distance between extreme limits; especially; the distance between the nearest surfaces of two bodies, or the space between walls.
  • Grammar: clear is listed as adj, adv, noun, verb.
  • Nearest alternatives: clean, exonerated, above water, abroad.
  • Useful contrasts: indistinct, inky, mistakable.
  • Usage evidence: From the doctor's grim expression, it was clear he had somber news for the patient.

How to use "clear"

  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 "clear" 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 "clear" 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 "clear" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "clear" 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 "clear" is acting as adj, adv, noun, verb 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 "clean" 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 "clear", 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
    Full extent; distance between extreme limits; especially; the distance between the nearest surfaces of two bodies, or the space between walls.

    "a room ten feet square in the clear"

  2. 2
    An idea state of beingness free of unwanted influences. uncountable
  3. 3
    a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water wordnet
  4. 4
    The completion of a stage or challenge, or of the whole game.

    "It took me weeks to achieve a one-credit clear (1CC)."

  5. 5
    the state of being free of suspicion wordnet
Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    A person who is free from the influence of engrams.

    "Neither of them had heard of Kelly or Kalki, but then neither of them had heard of Horace, Alexander Pope, [Blaise] Pascal, [Denis] Diderot, [Werner] Heisenberg’s law or entropy. Their lives were spent, successfully, repelling information. They were perfect “clears,” to use Scientologist jargon."

Verb
  1. 1
    To remove obstructions, impediments or other unwanted items from. transitive

    "Police took two hours to clear the road."

  2. 2
    free (the throat) by making a rasping sound wordnet
  3. 3
    To remove (items or material) so as to leave something unobstructed or open. transitive

    "Please clear all this stuff off the table."

  4. 4
    rid of obstructions wordnet
  5. 5
    To leave abruptly; to clear off or clear out. intransitive

    "Then the whole population cleared into the forest, expecting all kinds of calamities to happen, while, on the other hand, the steamer Fresleven commanded left also in a bad panic, in charge of the engineer, I believe."

Show 39 more definitions
  1. 6
    remove debris from wordnet
  2. 7
    To become free from obstruction or obscurement; to become transparent. intransitive

    "When the road cleared we continued our journey."

  3. 8
    make a way or path by removing objects wordnet
  4. 9
    To eliminate ambiguity or doubt from (a matter); to clarify or resolve; to clear up. transitive

    "We need to clear this issue once and for all."

  5. 10
    remove the occupants of wordnet
  6. 11
    To remove from suspicion, especially of having committed a crime. transitive

    "The court cleared the man of murder."

  7. 12
    remove (people) from a building wordnet
  8. 13
    To pass without interference; to miss. transitive

    "The door just barely clears the table as it closes."

  9. 14
    rid of instructions or data wordnet
  10. 15
    To exceed a stated mark. transitive

    "She was the first female high jumper to clear two metres."

  11. 16
    make clear, bright, light, or translucent wordnet
  12. 17
    To finish or complete (a stage, challenge, or game). transitive

    "I cleared the first level in 36 seconds."

  13. 18
    make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear wordnet
  14. 19
    Of a check or financial transaction, to go through as payment; to be processed so that the money is transferred. intransitive

    "The check might not clear for a couple of days."

  15. 20
    settle, as of a debt wordnet
  16. 21
    To earn a profit of; to net. transitive

    "He's been clearing seven thousand a week."

  17. 22
    grant authorization or clearance for wordnet
  18. 23
    To approve or authorise for a particular purpose or action; to give clearance to. transitive

    "Air traffic control cleared the plane to land."

  19. 24
    pronounce not guilty of criminal charges wordnet
  20. 25
    To obtain approval or authorisation in respect of. transitive

    "I've cleared the press release with the marketing department, so go ahead and publish it."

  21. 26
    pass an inspection or receive authorization wordnet
  22. 27
    To obtain a clearance. intransitive

    "The steamer cleared for Liverpool today."

  23. 28
    pass by, over, or under without making contact wordnet
  24. 29
    To obtain permission to use (a sample of copyrighted audio) in another track. transitive
  25. 30
    go away or disappear wordnet
  26. 31
    To disengage oneself from incumbrances, distress, or entanglements; to become free.

    "Beſides, he that cleares at once will relapſe: for finding himſelfe out of ſtraights, he will reuert to his cuſtomes. But hee that cleareth by degrees, induceth an habite of frugality, and gaineth as well vpon his minde, as vpon his Eſtate."

  27. 32
    sell to get rid of wordnet
  28. 33
    To hit, kick, head, punch etc. (a ball, puck) away in order to defend one's goal. intransitive, transitive

    "The goalkeeper rushed forward to clear the ball."

  29. 34
    be debited and credited to the proper bank accounts wordnet
  30. 35
    To reset or unset; to return to an empty state or to zero. transitive

    "to clear an array;  to clear a single bit (binary digit) in a value"

  31. 36
    earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages wordnet
  32. 37
    To style (an element within a document) so that it is not permitted to float at a given position. transitive

    "To get the footer acting right, you need to float it and clear it on both margins."

  33. 38
    make as a net profit wordnet
  34. 39
    To unload a firearm, or undergo an unloading procedure, in order to prevent negligent discharge; for safety reasons, to check whether one's firearm is loaded or unloaded. transitive

    "To prevent any shooting accidents, remember to clear your pistol and stay aware of your surroundings."

  35. 40
    yield as a net profit wordnet
  36. 41
    clear from impurities, blemishes, pollution, etc. wordnet
  37. 42
    free from payment of customs duties, as of a shipment wordnet
  38. 43
    go unchallenged; be approved wordnet
  39. 44
    become clear wordnet
Adjective
  1. 1
    Transparent in colour.

    "as clear as crystal"

  2. 2
    Bright; luminous; not dark or obscured.

    "The windshield was clear and clean."

  3. 3
    Free of obstacles.

    "The driver had mistakenly thought the intersection was clear."

  4. 4
    Without clouds.

    "clear weather; a clear day"

  5. 5
    Of the sky, such that less than one eighth of its area is obscured by clouds.
Show 15 more definitions
  1. 6
    Free of ambiguity or doubt; easily understood.

    "He gave clear instructions not to bother him at work."

  2. 7
    Distinct, sharp, well-marked.
  3. 8
    Free of guilt, or suspicion. figuratively

    "a clear conscience"

  4. 9
    Without a thickening ingredient.
  5. 10
    Possessing little or no perceptible stimulus.

    "clear of texture; clear of odor"

  6. 11
    Free from the influence of engrams; see Clear (Scientology).

    "Yes, and Jane came by with a lock of your hair. She said that you gave it to her that night that you planned to go clear. Did you ever go clear?"

  7. 12
    Able to perceive straightforwardly; keen; acute; penetrating; discriminating.

    "a clear intellect; a clear head"

  8. 13
    Not clouded with passion; serene; cheerful.

    "with a countenance as clear / As friendship wears at feasts"

  9. 14
    Easily or distinctly heard; audible.

    "Hark! the numbers, soft and clear Gently steal upon the ear"

  10. 15
    Unmixed; entirely pure.

    "clear sand"

  11. 16
    Without defects or blemishes, such as freckles or knots.

    "a clear complexion; clear lumber"

  12. 17
    Without diminution; in full; net.

    "a clear profit"

  13. 18
    Showing a green aspect, allowing a train to proceed past it.

    "The signals were clear to allow the train through Soham, as it steadily approached."

  14. 19
    Good, the best. Multicultural-London-English

    "Nando's is clear."

  15. 20
    Better than, superior to. Multicultural-London-English

    "Spurs are clear of Arsenal."

Adjective
  1. 1
    readily apparent to the mind wordnet
  2. 2
    allowing light to pass through wordnet
  3. 3
    free from confusion or doubt wordnet
  4. 4
    free from clouds or mist or haze wordnet
  5. 5
    accurately stated or described wordnet
Show 12 more definitions
  1. 6
    characterized by ease and quickness in perceiving wordnet
  2. 7
    clear and distinct to the senses; easily perceptible wordnet
  3. 8
    (especially of a title) free from any encumbrance or limitation that presents a question of fact or law wordnet
  4. 9
    free from contact or proximity or connection wordnet
  5. 10
    freed from any question of guilt wordnet
  6. 11
    easily deciphered wordnet
  7. 12
    clear of charges or deductions wordnet
  8. 13
    affording free passage or view wordnet
  9. 14
    free from flaw or blemish or impurity wordnet
  10. 15
    (of sound or color) free from anything that dulls or dims wordnet
  11. 16
    free of restrictions or qualifications wordnet
  12. 17
    characterized by freedom from troubling thoughts (especially guilt) wordnet
Adverb
  1. 1
    All the way; entirely. not-comparable

    "I threw it clear across the river to the other side."

  2. 2
    Not near something or touching it. not-comparable

    "Stand clear of the rails, a train is coming."

  3. 3
    Free (or separate) from others. not-comparable

    "Much soul-searching is going on at the west London club who, just seven weeks ago, were five points clear at the top of the table and playing with the verve with which they won the title last season."

  4. 4
    In a clear manner; plainly. not-comparable

    "Now clear I understand What oft my steadiest thoughts have searched in vain"

Adverb
  1. 1
    in an easily perceptible manner wordnet
  2. 2
    entirely wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
cleanexoneratedabove waterabroadabsoluteabsolute improvement

Example

"From the doctor's grim expression, it was clear he had somber news for the patient."

Common questions

What does "clear" mean?

Full extent; distance between extreme limits; especially; the distance between the nearest surfaces of two bodies, or the space between walls.

What is a synonym for "clear"?

Common synonyms include: clean, exonerated, above water, abroad, absolute, absolute improvement.

How do you use "clear" in a sentence?

From the doctor's grim expression, it was clear he had somber news for the patient.

How do you pronounce "clear"?

Pronounced /klɪə/.

Etymology

From Middle English clere, from Anglo-Norman cler, from Old French cler (Modern French clair), from Latin clarus. Displaced native Middle English schir (“clear, pure”) (from Old English scīr (“clear, bright”)), Middle English skere (“clear, sheer”) (from Old English scǣre and Old Norse skǣr (“sheer, clear, pure”)), Middle English smolt (“clear (of mind), serene”) (from Old English smolt (“peaceful, serene”)). Cognate with Danish klar, Dutch klaar, French clair, German klar, Italian chiaro, Norwegian klar, Portuguese claro, Romanian clar, Spanish claro, and Swedish klar.

More for "clear"

Synonyms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsBrowse writing guidesExplore topic clusters