clarify

American  

[klar-uh-fahy] / ˈklær əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

clarified, clarifying

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.

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verb (used without object)

clarified, clarifying

1. to become clear, pure, or intelligible.

   The political situation clarified.

clarify British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• clarification
  noun
• clarifier
  noun
• nonclarified
  adjective
• unclarified
  adjective
• unclarifying
  adjective

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.

Example Sentences

“I believe there’s a number of areas of misinformation,” he said, adding the bill was “never meant to breach encryption … We will clarify it in the bill.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

It’s a tool to clarify where the money comes from and where it’s going.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

So the 15-judge panel at the ICJ in The Hague will hand down its ruling, which is not binding, but in practice will clarify the right to strike in international law.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

These results helped clarify the physical mechanisms behind maze-domain reversal behavior.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

“Like a baby,” Sarai said breezily—by which of course she meant that she had woken frequently crying, but she didn’t feel the need to clarify the point.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Related Words

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