Clarify — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈkler-ə-ˌfī/ clar·i·fy

Meaning & Definition of Clarify

Clarify (verb)

  1. to make understandable
  2. to free of confusion
  3. to make (a liquid or something liquefied) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter

Clarify (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to remove usually visible impurities from

    "clarify the melted butter by skimming off the milky bits"

    similar: clear, distill, filter, fine, garble, purify
    related: process, rectify, refine, clean, cleanse, decontaminate, elutriate, purge, wash, extract, leach, bolt, screen, sieve, sift, disinfect, sanitize
    near: cloud, dull, muddy, contaminate, dirty, soil, defile, pollute, taint, begrime, besmirch, foul, sully

  2. to make plain or understandable

    "it would help if you could clarify your position for us"

    similar: clear (up), construe, demonstrate, demystify, elucidate, explain, explicate, expound, get across, illuminate, illustrate, interpret, simplify, spell out, unriddle
    related: decipher, decode, analyze, break down, disentangle, undo, unravel, unscramble, untangle, resolve, solve, define, specify, annotate, commentate, gloss
    opposite: obscure
    near: befog, cloud, confound, confuse, obfuscate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Clarify

The most common words with a similar meaning to Clarify:

clear, distill, filter, fine, garble, purify, clear (up), construe, demonstrate, demystify, elucidate, explain, explicate, expound, get across, illuminate, illustrate, interpret, simplify, spell out, unriddle

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Clarify

Words with the opposite meaning of Clarify:

obscure

Related Words for Clarify

process, rectify, refine, clean, cleanse, decontaminate, elutriate, purge, wash, extract, leach, bolt, screen, sieve, sift, disinfect, sanitize, decipher, decode, analyze, break down, disentangle, undo, unravel, unscramble, untangle, resolve, solve, define, specify

Near Antonyms of Clarify

cloud, dull, muddy, contaminate, dirty, soil, defile, pollute, taint, begrime, besmirch, foul, sully, befog, confound, confuse, obfuscate

Word Forms of Clarify

Inflections: clarified, clarifying

Derived words: clarification (noun), clarifier (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Clarify

Middle English clarifien, from Anglo-French clarifier, from Late Latin clarificare, from Latin clarus clear clear

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Clarify

Frequently Asked Questions about Clarify

What does "Clarify" mean?

"Clarify" means to make understandable. As a verb, it is defined as: to make understandable. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Clarify"?

Other words for "Clarify" include clear, distill, filter, fine, garble, purify, clear (up) and construe. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Clarify" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Clarify"?

There are 54 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Clarify". Common alternatives include clear, distill, filter, fine, garble, purify, clear (up), construe, demonstrate and demystify.

What is the opposite of "Clarify"?

Antonyms of "Clarify" include obscure. Near antonyms include cloud, dull, muddy and contaminate.

How do you use "Clarify" in a sentence?

Examples of "Clarify" in a sentence: "clarify the melted butter by skimming off the milky bits"; "it would help if you could clarify your position for us".

Is "Clarify" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Clarify" is a verb.

Is "Clarify" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Clarify" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Clarify"?

"Clarify" is pronounced /ˈkler-ə-ˌfī/ and divided into syllables as clar·i·fy.