clarify
Americanverb (used with object)
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clarifies,
present (3rd person singular)
-
clarified,
past participle, past
-
clarifying
present participle
-
to make (an idea, statement, etc.) clear or intelligible; to free from ambiguity.
- Synonyms:
- resolve, elucidate, illuminate, explain
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to remove solid matter from (a liquid); to make into a clear or pellucid liquid.
-
to free (the mind, intelligence, etc.) from confusion; revive.
The short nap clarified his thoughts.
verb (used without object)
-
clarifies,
present (3rd person singular)
-
clarified,
past participle, past
-
clarifying
present participle
verb
-
to make or become clear or easy to understand
-
to make or become free of impurities
-
to make (fat, butter, etc) clear by heating, etc, or (of fat, etc) to become clear as a result of such a process
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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clarificationnoun
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clarifiernoun
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nonclarifiedadjective
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unclarifiedadjective
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unclarifyingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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clarifysimple
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clarifiessimple
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have clarifiedperfect
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has clarifiedperfect
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am clarifyingprogressive
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are clarifyingprogressive
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is clarifyingprogressive
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have been clarifyingperfect progressive
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has been clarifyingperfect progressive
Past
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clarifiedsimple
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had clarifiedperfect
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was clarifyingprogressive
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were clarifyingprogressive
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had been clarifyingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing clarify
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 3
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A spokeswoman for the agency didn’t clarify when the policy would go into effect.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
Earlier this year, a number of families gathered outside North Northamptonshire's Corby headquarters calling for a public inquiry to clarify the situation.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
They appealed and urged the Supreme Court to rule on their case and to clarify the law.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
His work helped clarify how LPC70 produces different effects in the organs involved in salt-related cardiovascular and cognitive problems.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026
Dr. Cramp just sat there, taking it all in, stopping me a couple times to clarify.
From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx
But though I often wanted a Shostakovich-like register of horror and farce, I was more bothered by something the opera never clarifies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
The proposed regulations unveiled this week “really clarifies a lot of what employers were waiting for,” said Dorian Smith, leader of Mercer’s law and policy practice.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
Locke, 22, jokes that a lot of the time people are just handed producer credits, but clarifies "we actually put some effort in and took it seriously".
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026
But, he quickly clarifies, “at the same time, it’s very much an ensemble show.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
My face must look confused, because he clarifies.
From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon
Preparing, she clarified, “to get thrown out again.”
From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2026
Others clarified that they weren’t just there for an MRS. degree.
From Salon ● Oct. 25, 2026
Last December, Gomez clarified a shift in her vocal tone, telling fans on Instagram, “sometimes things happen.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
He later clarified that Hyslop had been told about the leak.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
But the curious thing was that while he was doing so a totally different memory had clarified itself in his mind, to the point where he almost felt equal to writing it down.
From "1984" by George Orwell
The tale of the landmark musical “Shuffle Along” gets told with convivial authority by its composer, Eubie Blake, along with a clarifying anecdote about his no-handshake encounter with Charles Lindbergh.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
Sweetgreen is clarifying pricing so diners can get a protein, two bases and four toppings for around $13.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
A new report discussing OpenAI’s revenue progress seems to be clarifying issues that had been spooking investors.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026
Waller, the assistant police chief, also detailed how police were — and weren’t — using their cameras, including clarifying that vehicles, not people, are tracked.
From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026
They had never bothered much with clarifying at the farm as there had hardly been enough syrup or sugar for the family, but the mistress was very particular and stood over Lyddie directing her.
From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
