clarify

[ klar-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, clar·i·fied, clar·i·fy·ing.

1. to make (an idea, statement, etc.) clear or intelligible; to free from ambiguity.

   Synonyms: resolve, elucidate, illuminate, explain

2. to remove solid matter from (a liquid); to make into a clear or pellucid liquid.
3. to free (the mind, intelligence, etc.) from confusion; revive:

   The short nap clarified his thoughts.

verb (used without object)

, clar·i·fied, clar·i·fy·ing.

1. to become clear, pure, or intelligible:

   The political situation clarified.

clarify

/ ˈklærɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to make or become clear or easy to understand
2. to make or become free of impurities
3. to make (fat, butter, etc) clear by heating, etc, or (of fat, etc) to become clear as a result of such a process

Derived Forms

• ˌclarifiˈcation, noun
• ˈclariˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• clar·i·fi·ca·tion [klar-, uh, -f, uh, -, key, -sh, uh, n], noun
• clar·i·fi·er noun
• non·clar·i·fied adjective
• un·clar·i·fied adjective
• un·clar·i·fy·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of clarify¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French clarifier, from Late Latin clārificāre, equivalent to Latin clār(us) “clear” + -ificāre -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of clarify¹

C14: from Old French clarifier, from Late Latin clārificāre, from Latin clārus clear + facere to make

Example Sentences

Editor's Note: This story had been amended to clarify Jeffrey Wright's Naval service.

From The Daily Beast

If this is what Congress intended, all that is needed is for Congress to clarify that expressly.

From The Daily Beast

He then abruptly departed for reasons that the school declines to clarify.

From The Daily Beast

She refused to criticize the group by name or clarify whether she believed that ethnic Koreans had special privileges.

From The Daily Beast

We tried to contact Santorum to clarify his meaning and did not hear back.

From The Daily Beast

Klarúha ang puntu sa buut mung ipasabut, Clarify the point that you want to make.

From Project Gutenberg

Just a routine checkup to clarify some points we're interested in.

From Project Gutenberg

Most of the post-cranial features do not help to clarify relationships.

From Project Gutenberg

If we should, however, thus enlarge the scope of our inquiry, we should increase but not clarify our problems.

From Project Gutenberg

After it has been strained, to-morrow, we shall clarify it in order to show the process, which is very simple.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• analyze
• clear up
• define
• formulate
• interpret
• resolve
• simplify
• spell out