Clear-cut — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun verb /ˈklir-ˈkət/ (adjective) /ˈklir-ˌkət/ (noun)

Meaning & Definition of Clear-cut

Clear-cut (adjective)

  1. sharply outlined, distinct
  2. free from ambiguity or uncertainty, unambiguous

Clear-cut (noun)

  1. an area of forest in which all the trees have been cut down; also, clear-cutting

Clear-cut (verb)

  1. to cut down all the trees in (an area of forest)

Clear-cut (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation

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

    similar: apparent, bald, bald-faced, barefaced, bright-line, broad, clear, crystal clear, decided, distinct, evident, lucid, luculent, luminous, manifest, nonambiguous, obvious, open-and-shut, palpable, patent, pellucid, perspicuous, plain, ringing, straightforward, transparent, unambiguous, unambivalent, unequivocal, unmistakable
    related: cognizable, cognoscible, comprehendible, comprehensible, digestible, fathomable, graspable, intelligible, knowable, understandable, self-evident, self-explanatory, clean-cut, simple, tidy, uncomplicated, overt, undisguised, appreciable, perceptible, recognizable, sensible, tangible, discernible, noticeable, observable, visible, black-and-white, explicit, trenchant, well-defined, clean, decipherable, fair, legible, readable
    opposite: ambiguous, clouded, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, indistinct, mysterious, nonobvious, obfuscated, obscure, unapparent, unclarified, unclear
    near: incomprehensible, indecipherable, unfathomable, unintelligible, unknowable, impalpable, imperceptible, inappreciable, indiscernible, insensible, cloudy, gauzy, gray, hazy, imprecise, indefinite, indeterminate, misty, murky, nebulous, noncommittal, sketchy, slippery, subtle, vague, illegible, undecipherable, unreadable

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

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

    similar: definite, definitive, explicit, express, specific, unambiguous, unequivocal, univocal
    related: avowed, declared, specified, stated, categorical, complete, comprehensive, exhaustive, full, certain, sure, unmistakable, clear, distinct, lucid, well-defined, exact, precise, direct, literal, plain, simple, straightforward, comprehensible, intelligible, understandable
    opposite: implicit, implied, inferred, ambiguous, circuitous, equivocal, indefinite, inexplicit, unspecific, vague
    near: cryptic, dark, enigmatic, obscure, unclear, imprecise, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, incomprehensible, unintelligible

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Clear-cut

The most common words with a similar meaning to Clear-cut:

apparent, bald, bald-faced, barefaced, bright-line, broad, clear, crystal clear, decided, distinct, evident, lucid, luculent, luminous, manifest, nonambiguous, obvious, open-and-shut, palpable, patent, pellucid, perspicuous, plain, ringing, straightforward, transparent, unambiguous, unambivalent, unequivocal, unmistakable, definite, definitive, explicit, express, specific, univocal

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Clear-cut

Words with the opposite meaning of Clear-cut:

ambiguous, clouded, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, indistinct, mysterious, nonobvious, obfuscated, obscure, unapparent, unclarified, unclear, implicit, implied, inferred, circuitous, indefinite, inexplicit, unspecific, vague

Related Words for Clear-cut

cognizable, cognoscible, comprehendible, comprehensible, digestible, fathomable, graspable, intelligible, knowable, understandable, self-evident, self-explanatory, clean-cut, simple, tidy, uncomplicated, overt, undisguised, appreciable, perceptible, recognizable, sensible, tangible, discernible, noticeable, observable, visible, black-and-white, trenchant, well-defined

Near Antonyms of Clear-cut

incomprehensible, indecipherable, unfathomable, unintelligible, unknowable, impalpable, imperceptible, inappreciable, indiscernible, insensible, cloudy, gauzy, gray, hazy, imprecise, indeterminate, misty, murky, nebulous, noncommittal, sketchy, slippery, subtle, illegible, undecipherable, unreadable, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact

Word Forms of Clear-cut

Inflections: clear-cutting

Origin & Etymology of Clear-cut

First known use: 1843

Frequently Asked Questions about Clear-cut

What does "Clear-cut" mean?

"Clear-cut" means sharply outlined, distinct. As an an adjective, a noun and a verb, it is defined as: sharply outlined, distinct. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Clear-cut"?

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

What are different ways to say "Clear-cut"?

There are 86 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Clear-cut". Common alternatives include apparent, bald, bald-faced, barefaced, bright-line, broad, clear, crystal clear, decided and distinct.

What is the opposite of "Clear-cut"?

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

How do you use "Clear-cut" in a sentence?

Examples of "Clear-cut" in a sentence: "a clear-cut case of plagiarism that resulted in her immediate dismissal"; "clear-cut instructions that even an idiot should be able to follow".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Clear-cut"?

"Clear-cut" is pronounced /ˈklir-ˈkət/ as an adjective and /ˈklir-ˌkət/ as a noun.

What is the origin of the word "Clear-cut"?

First known use: 1843.