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

Whether by osmosis or genetics or possibly black magic, Carpenter clearly absorbed his powers from his father, Dr. Howard Carpenter, a classically trained violinist and composer.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Although such policies now seem a long way off, clearly articulating the goals is a crucial part of the struggle to achieve them.

Read more on Salon

While French politics has clearly played a role in frustrating British government attempts to slow down the number of small-boat crossings, legal and moral issues are also proving crucial.

Read more on BBC

To be sure, Egelhof and others don’t think an AI downturn would clearly mean the legs would fully fall out of the U.S. economic growth story.

Read more on Barron's

The speaker is clearly making a point here—denying a Democrat a formal seat until government reopens.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• apparently 
• certainly 
• definitely 
• distinctly 
• evidently 
• obviously 
• openly www.thesaurus.com
• plainly www.thesaurus.com
• positively 
• precisely 
• seemingly 
• surely 
• undoubtedly 

When To Use

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.