clearly

[ kleer-lee ]

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.

clearly

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of clearly¹

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

I mean, making those moves in the offseason, they clearly had a title-or-bust idea going into this season.

From FiveThirtyEight

Investors clearly didn’t like the Fed’s hold-the-line stance on interest rates and asset purchases yesterday.

From Fortune

A camera like this will clearly appeal to YouTubers, and Sony has given it some popular features handy for frequent video makers.

From Popular-Science

He has a healthy Davante Adams back after the wideout missed four games last season — and clearly Rodgers will be targeting Adams early and often.

From FiveThirtyEight

Health is clearly a focus—the presentation begins by namechecking the new sleep and handwashing features that arrived in the latest OS update.

From Popular-Science

He was part of an extreme, racialized white faction in the Louisiana state house that was clearly dead-set against honoring King.

From The Daily Beast

He served the community well, but he clearly has to make a decision based on why he left.

From The Daily Beast

He gazed at the flowers and the flickering candles, clearly moved.

From The Daily Beast

Clearly, the advances were not reciprocated but Williams “continued to talk about sucking dick.”

From The Daily Beast

Kim Jung-un clearly recognizes that Hollywood and American popular culture in general constitute a dire threat.

From The Daily Beast

There was no fighting; a rifle shot now and then from the crests where we saw our fellows clearly.

From Project Gutenberg

He spoke clearly and slowly, well knowing that some among the natives would understand him.

From Project Gutenberg

As Felipe talked with him, he perceived even more clearly how bitter and unjust his mother had been to Alessandro.

From Project Gutenberg

In Scotland and America that is distinguished and thought of clearly as the college stage.

From Project Gutenberg

Men cannot see the world clearly and they cannot, therefore, begin to think about it rightly.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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

More About Clearly

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. 

Where does clearly come from?

The first records of clearly come from around 1250. It comes from the Middle English word clerli and is an adverb formed from the word clear.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to clearly?

• clear (verb)

What are some synonyms for clearly?

• obviously
• undoubtedly
• evidently
• definitely
• certainly

What are some words that share a root or word element with clearly? 

• clear

What are some words that often get used in discussing clearly?

• see
• hear
• speak
• explain
• clarity
• doubt

How is clearly used in real life?

Clearly is a common adverb that means happening in a way that is not blurred or that doesn’t leave room for doubt.

Finally got home. Washed my face. Put my glasses on. Couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t see clearly. Still had my contact lenses in. Took too long to figure that one out I tell you. The weekend couldn’t come soon enough lol. 👀 👓 🤓

— Dina Pugliese-Mirkovich (@DinaPugliese) January 24, 2020

Why is my toddler obsessed with watching people open surprise eggs on YouTube? Judging from the views I’m clearly not alone in this misery.

— Jessica Chasmar (@JessicaChasmar) January 28, 2021

The true test of how well you know a concept:

Can you explain it clearly to someone else?

— Treehouse (@treehouse) February 26, 2020

Try using clearly!

Which of the following words is a synonym of clearly?

A. debatably
B. confusingly
C. obviously
D. possibly