clarification

American  

[klar-uh-fuh-kay-shuhn] / ˌklær ə fəˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

• clarifications
  plural

1. the act or an instance of making an idea or statement clear.

   You may use a pencil to circle words, passages, or phrases that you don't understand or that need clarification.

2. the removal of solid matter from a liquid so that it is clear or translucent.

   The clarification of butter involves first melting it and then getting rid of all milk solids, leaving behind pure saturated fat.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonclarification
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• clarifications
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of clarification

First recorded in 1570–80, for an earlier sense; from Latin clārificātiōn-, stem of clārificātiō “a making clear,” from clārificāre “to make clear”; see clarify ( def. ), -fication ( def. )

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Explanation

Clarification is what you hope to achieve when you make an idea or concept less confusing and easier to understand. This often happens after a detailed or very clear explanation. Loudspeaker announcements in bus terminals and train stations are always so muffled and difficult to understand that it would be nice if you could at least find someone afterward who could provide clarification. In the realm of science, clarification is also the act of removing solid particles from a liquid so that it is more pure and, in some cases, so that it is transparent.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

clarification clarifications

Real Madrid rejected this clarification, saying it did not mitigate the "institutionally unworthy nature of his statements".

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

Evan Schlossman, a principal at Neostellar, told MarketWatch that the report was more “a clarification of how revenue is reported, rather than a signal about underlying demand.”

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

Asked about this, Peskov insisted Wednesday that he had "no information" regarding a formal US request for clarification, nor about a call scheduled between the two leaders.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

When Bum-seok frantically demands a descriptive clarification from a hunkered, terrified colleague who’s seen the thing, the man barks back, “Who cares? That’s not the point!”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

Some callers sought clarification of a particular point in the case that had been the subject of serious debate in a barbershop or at a social gathering.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

The governing body overseeing football in South America, Conmebol, said it had asked Fifa for "additional information and clarifications" regarding the "scope, structure, governance and possible effects" of the proposals.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

As the backlash against Fanatics picked up steam, the Red Sox deleted its original statement from X and posted multiple clarifications.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 22, 2026

Hutchison can’t appeal a Supreme Court ruling, but it can request clarifications that could delay the termination of its operating license.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026

The Guinean embassy in Moscow, which oversees Belarus, told AFP it was following the case with "great humanitarian concern" and said it had demanded "clarifications".

From Barron's ● Jan. 15, 2026

The headmistress is confused, but after a few questions and clarifications she brings him three children: two boys and one girl.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

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Related Words

• description
• interpretation
• resolution
• simplification

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