Clear — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb verb noun /ˈklir/

Meaning & Definition of Clear

Clear (adjective)

  1. bright, luminous
  2. cloudless; specifically, less than one-tenth covered
  3. free from mist, haze, or dust

Clear (adverb)

  1. in a clear manner
  2. all the way

Clear (verb)

  1. to make clear or translucent
  2. to free from pollution or cloudiness
  3. to free from accusation or blame, exonerate, vindicate

Clear (noun)

  1. a clear space or part
  2. a high arcing shot over an opponent's head in badminton

Clear (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation

    "the meaning of her broad smile was clear to the whole class"

  2. easily seen through

    "the clear glass walls of the aquarium's giant ocean tank"

    opposite: cloudy, opaque
  3. having or showing a mind free from doubt

    "I need to be absolutely clear about what you're saying"

  4. not stormy or cloudy

    "novice pilots can only fly on clear days"

  5. serving to put an end to all debate or questioning

    "the evidence is clear: he's innocent"

  6. allowing passage without obstruction

    "flooding was widespread, and only some roads are clear so far"

  7. free from guilt or blame

    "slept with a clear conscience"

    opposite: guilty
  8. giving off or reflecting much light

    "spermaceti candles were once highly prized for the clear flame that they produced"

Clear (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers

    "cleared the woods of brush"

    opposite: burden, encumber, saddle
  2. to remove the contents of

    "cleared a drawer so there would be a place to store his clothes"

    opposite: fill, load
  3. to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way

    "the early settlers worked hard to clear the land for crops"

    similar: free, open, unblock
    opposite: block
  4. to remove usually visible impurities from

    "cleared the car windows"

  5. to set free from entanglement or difficulty

    "cleared himself of any involvement in the matter"

    opposite: embroil, entangle
  6. to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions

    "plows promptly cleared the roads of snow"

  7. to free from a charge of wrongdoing

    "she had once been accused of embezzlement, but an investigation by the bank cleared her"

  8. to give official acceptance of as satisfactory

    "the administration cleared the plan, and building should begin shortly"

  9. to take away from a place or position

    "cleared the dishes from the table"

    opposite: place, position, put
  10. to give information to

    "please clear my mind about the new arrangement regarding reimbursement for traveling expenses"

  11. to receive after charges and deductions have been made

    "cleared enough from that stock transaction to be able to afford a new luxury automobile"

    similar: net
    near: gross
  12. to give what is owed for

    "finally cleared the last debt"

    opposite: repudiate

Clear (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in over, through

Related Entry: Clear (up) (verb)

Clear (up) is a different word from Clear. The synonyms below are for clear (up), not for clear.

  1. to make plain or understandable

    "a simple explanation cleared the matter up"

    opposite: obscure

Related Entry: Clear-cut (adjective)

Clear-cut is a different word from Clear. The synonyms below are for clear-cut, not for clear.

  1. not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation

    "a clear-cut case of plagiarism that resulted in her immediate dismissal"

  2. so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning

    "clear-cut instructions that even an idiot should be able to follow"

Related Entry: Clear-eyed (adjective)

Clear-eyed is a different word from Clear. The synonyms below are for clear-eyed, not for clear.

  1. having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment

    "shows a clear-eyed understanding of what it takes to be successful in business"

    opposite: unknowing

Related Entry: Clear off (verb)

Clear off is a different word from Clear. The synonyms below are for clear off, not for clear.

  1. to leave a place often for another

    "told the onlookers to clear off so that the police could do their work"

    opposite: arrive, come, show up, turn up

Related Entry: Clear out (verb)

Clear out is a different word from Clear. The synonyms below are for clear out, not for clear.

  1. to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart

    "police used tear gas to clear out the demonstrators"

  2. to get free from a dangerous or confining situation

    "everyone cleared out as soon as the fire alarm began sounding"

  3. to leave a place often for another

    "the lunch crowd usually clears out by 2:00 p.m. at the latest"

    opposite: arrive, come, show up, turn up

Related Entry: Clear-sighted (adjective)

Clear-sighted is a different word from Clear. The synonyms below are for clear-sighted, not for clear.

  1. having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment

    "a clear-sighted businessman who doesn't let sentimentality or compassion affect his decisions"

    opposite: unknowing
  2. having unusually keen vision

    "a clear-sighted person could see for almost 20 miles from the observatory"

Related Entry: Clear-sightedness (noun)

Clear-sightedness is a different word from Clear. The synonyms below are for clear-sightedness, not for clear.

  1. exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters

    "a loan officer who has the clear-sightedness to know when a business venture is a sure loser"

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Clear

The most common words with a similar meaning to Clear:

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Clear

Words with the opposite meaning of Clear:

Near Antonyms of Clear

Word Forms of Clear

Inflections: cleared, clearing, clears

Derived words: clearness (noun), clearable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Clear

Middle English clere, from Anglo-French cler, from Latin clarus clear, bright; akin to Latin calare to call low:3

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Clear

Words & Phrases Containing Clear

Frequently Asked Questions about Clear

What does "Clear" mean?

"Clear" means bright, luminous. As an an adjective, an adverb, a verb and a noun, it is defined as: bright, luminous. It has 21 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Clear"?

Other words for "Clear" include apparent, bald, bald-faced, barefaced, bright-line, broad, clear-cut and crystal clear. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Clear" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Clear"?

There are 460 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Clear". Common alternatives include apparent, bald, bald-faced, barefaced, bright-line, broad, clear-cut, crystal clear, decided and distinct.

What is the opposite of "Clear"?

Antonyms of "Clear" include ambiguous, clouded, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, indistinct and mysterious. Near antonyms include incomprehensible, indecipherable, unfathomable and unintelligible.

How do you use "Clear" in a sentence?

Examples of "Clear" in a sentence: "the meaning of her broad smile was clear to the whole class"; "the clear glass walls of the aquarium's giant ocean tank"; "I need to be absolutely clear about what you're saying".

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

"Clear" can be used as an adjective, an adverb, a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

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

As an A2-level word, "Clear" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Clear"?

"Clear" is pronounced /ˈklir/.