clarify
Americanverb (used with object)
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clarifies,
present (3rd person singular)
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clarified,
past participle, past
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clarifying
present participle
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to make (an idea, statement, etc.) clear or intelligible; to free from ambiguity.
- Synonyms:
- resolve, elucidate, illuminate, explain
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to remove solid matter from (a liquid); to make into a clear or pellucid liquid.
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to free (the mind, intelligence, etc.) from confusion; revive.
The short nap clarified his thoughts.
verb (used without object)
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clarifies,
present (3rd person singular)
-
clarified,
past participle, past
-
clarifying
present participle
verb
-
to make or become clear or easy to understand
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to make or become free of impurities
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to make (fat, butter, etc) clear by heating, etc, or (of fat, etc) to become clear as a result of such a process
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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clarificationnoun
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clarifiernoun
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nonclarifiedadjective
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unclarifiedadjective
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unclarifyingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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clarifysimple
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clarifiessimple
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have clarifiedperfect
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has clarifiedperfect
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am clarifyingprogressive
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are clarifyingprogressive
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is clarifyingprogressive
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have been clarifyingperfect progressive
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has been clarifyingperfect progressive
Past
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clarifiedsimple
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had clarifiedperfect
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was clarifyingprogressive
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were clarifyingprogressive
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had been clarifyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of clarify
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French clarifier, from Late Latin clārificāre, equivalent to Latin clār(us) “clear” + -ificāre -ify
Explanation
Clarify means to clear up confusion and make it all understandable. In a heart-breaking text, she clarified that she never ever wanted to see him again. It also means to remove impurities in a liquid; you clarify butter by gently heating it. Clarify and clear are related, of course, and clear means you can see right through it. If you clarify your intention or your meaning, others will understand it clearly. If you aren't clear at the outset, you might find the need to clarify what you want later.
Vocabulary lists containing clarify
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 3
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The audit said, however, that much of the telework policy was not made clear to workers, and recommended the agency clarify obligations and bring the employees into compliance with rules.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also urged Moscow to clarify "media reports of a second employee with pneumonia of undetermined cause" at the Irkutsk institute.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
"Timely, complete and transparent information sharing under the International Health Regulations is essential to clarify conflicting reports and enable an accurate assessment of potential public health risks," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
The findings may help clarify why walking is so often recommended for people dealing with constipation.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 5, 2026
“Just wanted to clarify my origins,” Julia said.
From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith
The final version — which has Beutner’s approval — clarifies that small schools or small school districts can pool their money to share an arts teacher, provided that every school gets the additional arts instruction.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026
It’s not that the clothes were ever disappointing, she clarifies — it’s just that the anticipation was such a big part of the process.
From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026
Locke, 22, jokes that a lot of the time people are just handed producer credits, but clarifies "we actually put some effort in and took it seriously".
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026
“This legal document acts as a cohabitation property agreement and clarifies finances to avoid lawsuits over issues like California cohabitation law alimony,” the law firm adds.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 16, 2026
My face must look confused, because he clarifies.
From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon
Flynn told Rennie he had not been given a briefing about the story though he quickly clarified "unless I've missed it".
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
When Alma and Elisabet retreat to a seaside summer residence, presumably to facilitate the actress’s recovery, most viewers will assume that the matter will be clarified.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
The broader genetic analysis finally clarified the coral's evolutionary position.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
The government clarified it does not seek a blanket ban on the glasses.
From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026
"Hold on. Just so we clear, she won't say that," Candace clarified.
From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds
A new report discussing OpenAI’s revenue progress seems to be clarifying issues that had been spooking investors.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026
Waller, the assistant police chief, also detailed how police were — and weren’t — using their cameras, including clarifying that vehicles, not people, are tracked.
From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026
“Yes, for sure,” the CEO responded, before clarifying that she sees it less in employees because Logitech has been proactive about addressing AI-related job anxieties.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
The commission's Affordable Housing Act aims to provide cities with legal cover, clarifying when authorities can take action without falling foul of EU single market rules.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
They had never bothered much with clarifying at the farm as there had hardly been enough syrup or sugar for the family, but the mistress was very particular and stood over Lyddie directing her.
From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
