clearly

American  

[kleer-lee] / ˈklɪər li /

adverb

1. in a clear manner.

   It is difficult to explain complex matters clearly.

2. without equivocation; decidedly.

   It is clearly out of the question to drop the case.

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clearly British  

/ ˈklɪəlɪ /

adverb

1. in a clear, distinct, or obvious manner

   I could see everything quite clearly

2. (sentence modifier) it is obvious that; evidently

   clearly the social services must be flexible

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Usage

What is a basic definition of clearly? Clearly means in a clear manner or way, without uncertainty. Clearly also means happening in a way that is obvious or occurring without question.Clearly is an adverb formed from the word clear, which means free from obscurity or free from doubt. If something happens without blurriness or cloudiness, it happens clearly. For example, when you speak clearly, you are not mumbling or stuttering.

• Real-life examples: Many people wear glasses to help them see clearly. Teachers try to explain subjects clearly to students so they don’t get confused or fail to understand the material. Many right-handed people struggle to write clearly with their left hand.
• Used in a sentence: I couldn’t hear clearly because I had water in my ears. 

Clearly is also used to mean obviously, undoubtedly, or evidently. You might use this sense of clearly when you are so confident about something that you believe there is zero doubt about it, as when it is clearly a bad idea to eat a sandwich that has meat that expired a year ago. Clearly is often used in arguments and opinions, though. Just because a person uses the word clearly doesn’t mean there is no room for disagreement or doubt.

• Used in a sentence: I am allergic to peanuts so it clearly wasn’t me who ate the last of the peanut butter. 

Related Words

Clearly, definitely, distinctly, evidently imply the way in which something is plainly understood or understandable. Clearly suggests without doubt or obscurity: expressed clearly. Definitely means explicitly; with precision: definitely phrased. Distinctly means without blurring or confusion: distinctly enunciated. Evidently means patently, unquestionably: evidently an error.

Etymology

Origin of clearly

First recorded in 1250–1300, Middle English clerli; clear, -ly

Example Sentences

So what was Raman thinking in signing up for a challenge in which she is clearly the underdog?

From Los Angeles Times

"Cristian clearly goes for the ball. Unfortunately, the way the rules are, it becomes a red. He apologised to his team-mates."

From Barron's

"We had to come up on to the kerb and in doing so clearly the tyre wall had already been compromised and it exploded on us."

From BBC

Lower prices are clearly unlocking growth in demand, especially in the cash-pay market.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their penchant for self-destruction has clearly been part of their preamble this time around.

From BBC

Related Words

• apparently
• certainly
• definitely
• distinctly
• evidently
• obviously
• openly
• plainly
• positively
• precisely
• seemingly
• surely
• undoubtedly