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

Gorka’s long-awaited strategy, Clarke and Ware said in an op-ed, could help clarify White House thinking on how to handle threats when “defenses are divided, disorganized and under-resourced.”

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

A resolution to the war this week would clarify the situation, though Iran hasn’t confirmed it will attend peace talks in Pakistan.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

Here’s some history to clarify what is at stake.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

With LIV Golf not yet responding to the BBC's requests for comment, and senior golfing officials telling us they are also trying to clarify what the situation is, uncertainly surrounds the circuit's future.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

You’d be very wise to think hard about that, and to clarify your recollections of what she said and did when she was here.

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

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