Clause — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈklȯz/

Meaning & Definition of Clause

Clause (noun)

  1. a group of words containing a subject and predicate and functioning as a member of a complex or compound sentence
  2. a separate section of a discourse or writing; specifically, a distinct article in a formal document

Origin & Etymology of Clause

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin clausa close of a rhetorical period, from Latin, feminine of clausus, past participle of claudere to close close:1

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Clause

Words & Phrases Containing Clause

census clause, elections clause, emoluments clause, enumeration clause, grandfather clause, nonrestrictive clause, reserve clause, restrictive clause, coordinate clause

Frequently Asked Questions about Clause

What does "Clause" mean?

"Clause" means a group of words containing a subject and predicate and functioning as a member of a complex or compound sentence. As a noun, it is defined as: a group of words containing a subject and predicate and functioning as a member of a complex or compound sentence. It has 2 distinct senses.

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

"Clause" is a noun.

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

As a C1-level word, "Clause" 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+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Clause"?

"Clause" is pronounced /ˈklȯz/.

What is the origin of the word "Clause"?

"Clause" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin clausa close of a rhetorical period, from Latin, feminine of clausus, past participle of claudere to close close:1. First known use: 13th century.

What CEFR level is "Clause"?

"Clause" is a C1-level word in SophDict's CEFR vocabulary lists, which group English words from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient).

Is "Clause" an academic word?

Yes. "Clause" is part of the 570-word Academic Word List (AWL), which contains vocabulary that appears frequently in university texts and in exams such as IELTS and TOEFL.

What topics is "Clause" used in?

"Clause" is commonly used in topics such as Law, Politics & Society.