clear

American  

[kleer] / klɪər /

adjective

• clearer,
  comparative
• clearest
  superlative

1. free from darkness, obscurity, or cloudiness; light.

   a clear day.

   Synonyms:

   sunny, cloudless, fair

   Antonyms:

   dark, cloudy

2. transparent; pellucid.

   clear water.

   Synonyms:

   diaphanous, crystalline, limpid, translucent

3. without discoloration, defect, or blemish: a clear pane of glass.

   a clear complexion;

   a clear pane of glass.

4. of a pure, even color.

   a clear yellow.

5. easily seen; sharply defined.

   a clear outline.

6. distinctly perceptible to the ear; easily heard.

   a clear sound.

7. free from hoarse, harsh, or rasping qualities: clear as a bell.

   a clear voice;

   clear as a bell.

8. easily understood; without ambiguity.

   clear, concise answers.

   Synonyms:

   perspicuous, plain, lucid, comprehensible, intelligible

   Antonyms:

   obscure

9. entirely comprehensible; completely understood.

   The ultimate causes of inflation may never be clear.

10. distinct; evident; plain.

    a clear case of misbehavior.

    Synonyms:

    unmistakable, apparent, manifest, obvious

    Antonyms:

    obscure

11. free from confusion, uncertainty, or doubt.

    clear thinking.

12. perceiving or discerning distinctly.

    a clear mind.

13. convinced; certain.

    He was not clear on the first point that she made but agreed with the others.

    Antonyms:

    uncertain

14. free from anything that would disturb or blame.

    a clear conscience.

15. free from suspicion of guilt or complicity.

    She was entirely clear of the crime until one of her accomplices turned informer.

16. serene; calm; untroubled.

    a clear brow.

17. free from obstructions or obstacles; open: a clear path.

    a clear view;

    a clear path.

18. free from entanglement or contact: She managed to keep her dress clear of the mud.

    He kept clear of her after the argument.

    She managed to keep her dress clear of the mud.

    Synonyms:

    unencumbered, unhampered

19. without limitation or qualification; absolute.

    a clear victory.

20. free from obligation, liability, or debt: Municipal bonds were returning as much as 9 percent, clear of taxes.

    After twenty years, our house is clear of the mortgage.

    Municipal bonds were returning as much as 9 percent, clear of taxes.

21. without deduction or diminution.

    a clear $1000 after taxes.

22. freed or emptied of contents, cargo, etc.

23. (of tree trunks or timber) free from branches, knots, or other protruding or rough parts.

    The trunk was clear for 20 feet above the ground.

24. Phonetics.

    1. (of an l- sound) having front-vowel resonance; situated before a vowel in the same syllable.

    2. (of a speech sound) produced without frication or aspiration.

25. (in cryptography) not coded or enciphered.

26. bright; shining.

    a clear flame.

27. Obsolete. illustrious.

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adverb

clearer, clearest

1. in a clear or distinct manner; clearly.

2. so as not to be in contact with or near; away (often followed byof ).

   Stand clear of the closing doors.

3. Informal. entirely; completely; clean.

   to cut a piece clear off;

   to climb clear to the top;

   to run clear off the road.

verb (used with object)

• clears,
  present (3rd person singular)
• cleared,
  past participle,  past
• clearing
  present participle

1. to remove people or objects from (usually followed byof ): to clear the table of dishes.

   to clear a courtroom of photographers;

   to clear the table of dishes.

2. to remove (people or objects) (usually followed byfrom ): to clear the dishes from the table.

   to clear the photographers from the courtroom;

   to clear the dishes from the table.

3. to make clear, transparent, or pellucid; free from cloudiness or impurities.

   to clear a liquid by means of a filter.

   Synonyms:

   refine, purify, clarify

4. to make free of confusion, doubt, or uncertainty.

   He spoke to his supervisor to clear his mind about their working relationship.

5. to make understandable or lucid; free from ambiguity or obscurity.

   She rephrased the report in order to clear the essential points.

6. to make (a path, road, etc.) by removing any obstruction.

   He had to cut away the underbrush to clear a path.

7. to eat all the food on.

   to clear one's plate.

8. to relieve (the throat) of some obstruction, as phlegm, by forcing air through the larynx, usually producing a rasping sound.

9. to make a similar rasping noise in (the throat), as to express disapproval or to attract attention.

10. to remove from (the brow) any traces of tension or anxiety, as folds or wrinkles.

11. to free of anything defamatory or discrediting.

    to clear one's name.

12. to free from suspicion, accusation, or imputation of guilt; prove or declare innocent.

    The jury cleared the defendant of the charge.

    Synonyms:

    excuse, vindicate, absolve, exonerate

13. to remove instructions or data from (a computer, calculator, etc.).

14. to pass by or over without contact or entanglement: The fisherman cleared his line.

    The ship cleared the reef.

    The fisherman cleared his line.

15. to pass through or away from: The bill cleared the Senate.

    The ship cleared the harbor.

    The bill cleared the Senate.

16. to pass (checks or other commercial paper) through a clearinghouse.

17. (of mail, telephone calls, etc.) to process, handle, reroute, etc..

    The dispatcher clears hundreds of items each day.

18. to free from debt: The widow had to borrow money to clear her husband's estate.

    Just a few dollars more would clear him.

    The widow had to borrow money to clear her husband's estate.

19. to gain as clear profit.

    to clear $1000 in a transaction.

20. to pay (a debt) in full.

21. to receive authorization before taking action on.

    You'll have to clear your plan with headquarters.

22. to give clearance to; authorize.

    The chairperson has to clear our speeches before the meeting.

23. to authorize (a person, agency, etc.) to use classified information, documents, etc..

    He has finally been cleared for highly classified information.

24. to remove trees, buildings, or other obstructions from (land), as for farming or construction.

25. to free (a ship, cargo, etc.) from legal detention at a port by satisfying customs and other requirements.

26. to try or otherwise dispose of (the cases awaiting court action).

    to clear the docket.

27. (of a commodity) to buy up or sell out the existing supply of.

28. Skin Diving. to drain or expel unwanted water in: to clear a regulator and face mask while underwater.

    to clear a snorkel by sharp exhalations;

    to clear a regulator and face mask while underwater.

29. Bridge. to establish one or more winning cards in (a given suit) by leading the suit until all the outstanding cards have been drawn.

    He cleared the heart suit before attacking spades.

verb (used without object)

• clears,
  present (3rd person singular)
• cleared,
  past participle,  past
• clearing
  present participle

1. to become clear.

2. to exchange checks and bills, and settle balances, as in a clearinghouse.

3. to become free from doubt, anxiety, misunderstanding, etc..

   His mind cleared when he heard the truth.

4. to pass an authority for review, approval, etc..

   The bill must clear through the assembly before it becomes legal.

5. to remove dishes, food, etc., from a table following a meal.

   Is it my turn to clear?

6. to remove previously inserted instructions or data from a computer, calculator, typewriter, or the like.

7. Nautical.

   1. to comply with customs and other requirements legally imposed on entering or leaving a port (often followed by in orout ).

   2. to leave port after having complied with such requirements.

8. (of a commodity for sale) to sell out; become bought out.

   Wheat cleared rapidly.

noun

• clears
  plural

1. a clear or unobstructed space.

2. plaintext.

3. a piece of clear lumber.

verb phrase

1. clear away / off

   1. to remove in order to make room.

   2. to leave; escape.

      We were warned to clear off before the floods came.

   3. to disappear; vanish.

      When the smoke cleared away, we saw that the house was in ruins.

2. clear up

   1. to make clear; explain; solve.

   2. to put in order; tidy up.

   3. to become better or brighter, as the weather.

3. clear out

   1. to remove the contents of.

      Clear out the closet.

   2. to remove; take away.

      Clear out your clothes from the closet.

   3. to go away, especially quickly or abruptly.

   4. to drive or force out.

      The police cleared out the pickets by force.

idioms

1. in the clear,

   1. absolved of blame or guilt; free.

      He was suspected of the theft, but evidence put him in the clear.

   2. en clair.

clear British  

/ klɪə /

adjective

1. free from darkness or obscurity; bright

2. (of weather) free from dullness or clouds

3. transparent

   clear water

4. even and pure in tone or colour

   clear blue

5. without discoloration, blemish, or defect

   a clear skin

6. easy to see or hear; distinct

7. free from doubt or confusion

   his instructions are not clear

8. (postpositive) certain in the mind; sure

   are you clear?

9. (in combination) perceptive, alert

   clear-headed

10. evident or obvious

    it is clear that he won't come now

11. (of sounds or the voice) not harsh or hoarse

12. serene; calm

13. without qualification or limitation; complete

    a clear victory

14. free of suspicion, guilt, or blame

    a clear conscience

15. free of obstruction; open

    a clear passage

16. free from debt or obligation

17. (of money, profits, etc) without deduction; net

18. emptied of freight or cargo

19. (of timber) having a smooth, unblemished surface

20. Also: in clear.  (of a message, etc) not in code

21. Also: light.  phonetics denoting an (l) in whose articulation the main part of the tongue is brought forward giving the sound of a front-vowel timbre

22. showjumping (of a round) ridden without any fences being knocked down or any points being lost

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adverb

1. in a clear or distinct manner

2. completely or utterly

3. not in contact (with); free

   stand clear of the gates

noun

1. a clear space

2. another word for clearance

3. 1. free of suspicion, guilt, or blame

   2. sport able to receive a pass without being tackled

verb

1. to make or become free from darkness, obscurity, etc

2. (intr)

   1. (of the weather) to become free from dullness, fog, rain, etc

   2. (of mist, fog, etc) to disappear

3. (tr) to free from impurity or blemish

4. (tr) to free from doubt or confusion

   to clear one's mind

5. (tr) to rid of objects, obstructions, etc

6. (tr) to make or form (a path, way, etc) by removing obstructions

7. (tr) to free or remove (a person or thing) from something, such as suspicion, blame, or guilt

8. (tr) to move or pass by or over without contact or involvement

   he cleared the wall easily

9. (tr) to rid (the throat) of phlegm or obstruction

10. (tr) to make or gain (money) as profit

11. to discharge or settle (a debt)

12. (tr) to free (a debtor) from obligation

13. (intr) (of a cheque) to pass through one's bank and be charged against one's account

14. banking to settle accounts by exchanging (commercial documents) in a clearing house

15. to permit (ships, aircraft, cargo, passengers, etc) to unload, disembark, depart, etc, after fulfilling the customs and other requirements, or (of ships, etc) to be permitted to unload, etc

16. to obtain or give (clearance)

17. (tr) to obtain clearance from

18. (tr) microscopy to make (specimens) transparent by immersion in a fluid such as xylene

19. (tr) to permit (a person, company, etc) to see or handle classified information

20. (tr) military

    1. to achieve transmission of (a signalled message) and acknowledgment of its receipt at its destination

    2. to decode (a message, etc)

21. (tr) sport to hit, kick, carry, or throw (the ball) out of the defence area

22. (tr) computing to remove data from a storage device and replace it with particular characters that usually indicate zero

23. (tr) to remove (trees, scrub, etc) from land

24. See air

25. to prepare for action, as by removing obstacles from a field of activity or combat

clear More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing clear

• coast is clear
• free and clear
• have a clear conscience
• in the clear
• loud and clear
• out of a clear blue sky
• see one's way (clear)
• steer clear of

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Synonym Usage

See clean.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• clearer
  noun
• clearness
  noun
• preclear
  verb (used with object)
• clearable
  adjective
• half-clear
  adjective
• unclear
  adjective
• unclearable
  adjective
• uncleared
  adjective
• well-cleared
  adjective
• half-clearly
  adverb
• unclearly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• clears
  plural

Adjectives

• clearer
  comparative
• clearest
  superlative

Participles

• clearing
  present
• cleared
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• clear
  simple
• clears
  simple
• have cleared
  perfect
• has cleared
  perfect
• am clearing
  progressive
• are clearing
  progressive
• is clearing
  progressive
• have been clearing
  perfect progressive
• has been clearing
  perfect progressive

Past

• cleared
  simple
• had cleared
  perfect
• was clearing
  progressive
• were clearing
  progressive
• had been clearing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will clear
  simple
• will have cleared
  perfect
• will be clearing
  progressive
• will have been clearing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of clear

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English clere, from Anglo-French, Old French cler, from Latin clārus

Explanation

Clear means clean and uncluttered, without distractions or confusion. If your explanation of relativity is clear, it's easy to understand. If the sky’s clear, there isn't a cloud to be seen. As a verb, clear implies getting rid of obstacles. You can clear your head (get rid of anxiety and upsetting thoughts); clear the way (remove obstacles in your path); or clear the trees to make a clearing where you can pitch your tent. If you own your car "free and clear," it's all yours — you don't owe anything on it. When you arrive in a country, you clear customs when officials check your papers and belongings and send you on your way.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

clear clears clearer clearest cleared clearing

“The motive became clear on Feb. 17, 2025, when Bianco announced his candidacy for Governor of California,” his lawsuit read.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

It was not immediately clear how the decision would comply with a federal judge's order in May that Trump's name be removed from the facade, as only Congress can change it.

From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026

On Wednesday, he spent hours setting up his mobile gear in a rural spot with a clear view of the horizon so he could livestream, external the eclipse to his followers on YouTube.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

But we must be clear that the parents are in charge.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

Captain Colayco makes it clear that this is a highly dangerous mission.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

The $1.95 billion deal resolves the Nevada Gold Mines joint venture disputes between the two miners, and clears the path for Barrick’s North American IPO of its gold assets, Hacking says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

These days the bond market clears at a higher yield.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 7, 2026

The decision clears a hurdle for Paramount and Warner Bros. as the media giants work to close a deal that stands to reshape the entertainment industry.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

Once a candidate clears those bars, their name will go to the General Assembly of all UN member states for confirmation.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

His voice sounds hoarse, so he clears it.

From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender

"I would argue there is no clearer way to see the impact of climate change than looking at a traditional map," Tom Gray, a utilities and transport expert for Britain's national mapping agency, told AFP.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

As a result, investors are hesitant to focus on long-term business fundamentals until management provides a clearer AI spending and monetization road map, he noted.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

He has high hopes for a clearer day in Majorca where he has booked a villa near the town of Andraitx, located in the west of the island.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

Nearly a year later, Cornell has made its position considerably clearer.

From Salon ● Aug. 8, 2026

Faintly at first, but becoming clearer and clearer every second, the picture of Mike Teavee appeared on the screen.

From "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl

One way to minimize that is “communicating the product in the best, clearest way possible,” Abdelghany said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026

The clearest comparison to Vinicius is Andriy Shevchenko, who joined Chelsea from AC Milan in 2006 at the age of 29.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026

The clearest dividing line our interviewees described was orientation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

The result provides one of the clearest views yet of how black holes consume matter, respond to changing conditions, and shape the space around them.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

The clearest evidence for this view comes from pairs of countries that divide essentially the same environment but have very different institutions and, associated with those institutions, different per-capita GNPs.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

The emergency order allows providing notice to take place the same day as an encampment is cleared.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

The pair missed the second Test against the Black Caps while the incident was investigated, and were ultimately cleared of wrongdoing.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

The proposed transaction has been cleared by the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

Usually, staff stage them as a tactical bait and switch: Once the block is cleared under the guise of safety, K9 units and search teams move in to tear through the empty cells.

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026

Huts 10 and 11 now stand in the cleared field.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Under California law, agencies must typically provide at least 48 to 72 hours of advance written notice before clearing a homeless encampment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

Last week, Citadel Securities, one of the world’s biggest market makers, told clients that a technical reset in U.S. stocks was officially over, clearing the way for a push higher.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

While the raise is positive, it is partly driven by volatile clearing income, the analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

The plant got air pollution permits in January, Amazon received construction permits last week, and satellite imagery confirmed clearing had begun at the site named in the plant's air permit records.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

The houses promised by the government were incomplete, the cement still wet, so they slept outdoors at first, terrified of snakes and other wild animals in the bushy new clearing.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

Related Words

• clear-cut
• coherent
• definite
• distinct
• evident
• explicit
• obvious
• precise
• sharp
• simple
• straightforward
• transparent
• unambiguous
• unequivocal
• unmistakable