clear

See also: Clear

English

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Alternative forms

  • CLR (contraction used in electronics)

Etymology

Category:English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European#CLEARCategory:English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *kelh₁-#CLEAR

From Middle EnglishCategory:English terms inherited from Middle English#CLEARCategory:English terms derived from Middle English#CLEAR clere, from Anglo-NormanCategory:English terms derived from Anglo-Norman#CLEAR cler, from Old FrenchCategory:English terms derived from Old French#CLEAR cler (Modern French clair), from LatinCategory:English terms derived from Latin#CLEAR clarus. Displaced native Middle English schir (“clear, pure”) (from Old English scīr (“clear, bright”)), Middle English skere (“clear, sheer”) (from Old English scǣre and Old Norse skǣr (“sheer, clear, pure”)), Middle English smolt (“clear (of mind), serene”) (from Old English smolt (“peaceful, serene”)). Cognate with Danish klar, Dutch klaar, French clair, German klar, Italian chiaro, Norwegian klar, Portuguese claro, Romanian clar, Spanish claro, and Swedish klar.

Pronunciation

Adjective

clear (comparative clearer, superlative clearest)Category:English lemmas#CLEARCategory:English adjectives#CLEARCategory:English entries with incorrect language header#CLEARCategory:Pages with entries#CLEARCategory:Pages with 1 entry#CLEAR

  1. Transparent in colour.
    Synonyms: pellucid, transparent; see also Thesaurus:transparent
    Antonyms: opaque, turbid
    Hyponyms: clear as crystal, crystal clear
  2. Bright; luminous; not dark or obscured.
    Antonyms: obscure; see also Thesaurus:dark
    The windshield was clear and clean.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    Congress passed the President’s Clear Skies legislation.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  3. Free of obstacles.
    The driver had mistakenly thought the intersection was clear.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    • 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter I, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:
      Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path […]. It twisted and turned, […] and opened out into a big clear space like a lawn. And, back of the lawn, was a big, old-fashioned house, with piazzas stretching in front of it, and all blazing with lights. 'Twas the house I'd seen the roof of from the beach.
      Category:English terms with quotations#CLEAR
    • 2023 November 15, Prof. Jim Wild, “This train was delayed because of bad weather in space”, in RAIL, number 996, page 30:
      " […] On the 18th of October, 1841, a very intense magnetic disturbance was recorded, and amongst other curious facts mentioned is that of the detention of the 10:05pm express train at Exeter for 16 minutes, as from the magnetic disturbance affecting the needles so powerfully, it was impossible to ascertain if the line was clear at Starcross. The superintendent at Exeter reported the next morning that someone was playing tricks with the instruments, and would not let them work."
      Category:English terms with quotations#CLEAR
  4. Without clouds.
    Synonyms: cloudless, noncloudy, unclouded, uncloudy
    Antonyms: cloudy, nebulous; see also Thesaurus:nebulous
    Hyponym: crystal clear
  5. (meteorologyCategory:en:Meteorology#CLEAR) Of the sky, such that less than one eighth of its area is obscured by clouds.
  6. Free of ambiguity or doubt; easily understood.
    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:comprehensible, Thesaurus:explicit
    Antonyms: see Thesaurus:incomprehensible, Thesaurus:confusing
    Hyponyms: clear as crystal, crystal clear, plain as day; see also Thesaurus:obvious
    He gave clear instructions not to bother him at work.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    She made it clear that she dislike me.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    I'm still not quite clear on what some of these words mean.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    • 2013 June 8, “The new masters and commanders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8839, page 52:
      From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. […] But viewed from high up in one of the growing number of skyscrapers in Sri Lanka’s capital, it is clear that something extraordinary is happening: China is creating a shipping hub just 200 miles from India’s southern tip.
      Category:English terms with quotations#CLEAR
    • 2021 February 23, Jeanne Sahadi, “So you got a PPP loan? Here’s what that means for your state taxes”, in CNN Business‎:
      In several months you’re likely to have a clearer picture on how your state intends to treat your forgiven PPP loan and the deductibility of your business expenses not just for tax year 2020 but also tax year 2021.
      Category:English terms with quotations#CLEAR
    • 2021 June 30, Anthony Lambert, “A railway station fit for the 21st century”, in RAIL, number 934, page 42:
      NR Chairman Sir Peter Hendy had made it clear that he didn't want anything that smacked of the bus shelters seen at many small, usually unstaffed stations.
      Category:English terms with quotations#CLEAR
    • 2025 January 28, David Goldman and Elisabeth Buchwald, “Trump just gave his clearest picture yet of what new tariffs could look like”, in CNN Business‎:
      But Trump laid out his clearest message yet on tariffs during an address to House Republicans on Monday, spelling out what imports his administration plan to tax first.
      Category:English terms with quotations#CLEAR
  7. Distinct, sharp, well-marked.
    Synonyms: conspicuous; see also Thesaurus:distinct
    Hyponym: crystal clear
  8. (figuratively) Free of guilt, or suspicion.
    Synonyms: blameless, clean, pure; see also Thesaurus:innocent
  9. (of a soup) Without a thickening ingredient.
    Antonym: thick
  10. Possessing little or no perceptible stimulus.
  11. (ScientologyCategory:en:Scientology#CLEAR) Free from the influence of engrams; see Clear (Scientology).
  12. Able to perceive straightforwardly; keen; acute; penetrating; discriminating.
  13. Not clouded with passion; serene; cheerful.
  14. Easily or distinctly heard; audible.
    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:audible
    Hyponym: crystal clear
  15. Unmixed; entirely pure.
    Synonym: homogeneous
  16. Without defects or blemishes, such as freckles or knots.
    a clear complexion; clear lumberCategory:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  17. Without diminution; in full; net.
  18. (of a railway signal) Showing a green aspect, allowing a train to proceed past it.
    • 2022 January 12, Benedict le Vay, “The heroes of Soham...”, in RAIL, number 948, page 42:
      The signals were clear to allow the train through Soham, as it steadily approached.
      Category:English terms with quotations#CLEAR
  19. (MLECategory:Multicultural London English#CLEAR) Good, the best.
  20. (UKCategory:British English#CLEAR, IrelandCategory:Irish English#CLEAR, CommonwealthCategory:Commonwealth English#CLEAR, especially sportsCategory:en:Sports#CLEAR) Better than, superior to. (usually with points, votes, etc.)

Derived terms

Descendants

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Adverb

clear (not comparable)Category:English lemmas#CLEARCategory:English adverbs#CLEARCategory:English uncomparable adverbs#CLEARCategory:English entries with incorrect language header#CLEARCategory:Pages with entries#CLEARCategory:Pages with 1 entry#CLEAR

  1. All the way; entirely.
    I threw it clear across the river to the other side.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  2. Not near something or touching it.
    Stand clear of the rails, a train is coming.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  3. Free (or separate) from others.
    • 2010 December 29, Chris Whyatt, “Chelsea 1 - 0 Bolton”, in BBC‎:
      Much soul-searching is going on at the west London club who, just seven weeks ago, were five points clear at the top of the table and playing with the verve with which they won the title last season.
      Category:English terms with quotations#CLEAR
  4. In a clear manner; plainly.

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

clear (third-person singular simple present clears, present participle clearing, simple past and past participle cleared)Category:English lemmas#CLEARCategory:English verbs#CLEARCategory:English entries with incorrect language header#CLEARCategory:Pages with entries#CLEARCategory:Pages with 1 entry#CLEAR

  1. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR) To remove obstructions, impediments or other unwanted items from.
    Police took two hours to clear the road.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    If you clear the table, I'll wash up.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    • 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter IX, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:
      “A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron; and she looked it, always trim and trig and smooth of surface like a converted yacht cleared for action.
      Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, […].
      Category:English terms with quotations#CLEAR
    • 1715–8, Matthew Prior, “Alma: or, The Progreſs of the Mind” in Poems on Several Occaſions (1741), canto III, p.297:
      Faith, Dick, I muſt confeſs, ’tis true
      (But this is only Entre Nous)
      That many knotty Points there are,
      Which All diſcuſs, but Few can clear.
    • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 7, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
      ‘Children crawled over each other like little grey worms in the gutters,’ he said. ‘The only red things about them were their buttocks and they were raw. Their faces looked as if snails had slimed on them and their mothers were like great sick beasts whose byres had never been cleared. […]’
      Category:English terms with quotations#CLEAR
    • 2013 June 29, “Unspontaneous combustion”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8842, page 29:
      Since the mid-1980s, when Indonesia first began to clear its bountiful forests on an industrial scale in favour of lucrative palm-oil plantations, “haze” has become an almost annual occurrence in South-East Asia. The cheapest way to clear logged woodland is to burn it, producing an acrid cloud of foul white smoke that, carried by the wind, can cover hundreds, or even thousands, of square miles.
      Category:English terms with quotations#CLEAR
  2. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR) To remove (items or material) so as to leave something unobstructed or open.
    Synonym: (plants) stub
    Please clear all this stuff off the table.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    The loggers came and cleared the trees.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    • 1711 November 6, Joseph Addison, The Spectator, number 215:
      […] Aristotle has brought to explain his Doctrine of Substantial Forms, when he tells us that a Statue lies hid in a Block of Marble; and that the Art of the statuary only clears away the superfluous Matter, and removes the Rubbish.
      Category:English terms with quotations#CLEAR
  3. (intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#CLEAR) To leave abruptly; to clear off or clear out.
  4. (intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#CLEAR) To become free from obstruction or obscurement; to become transparent.
    When the road cleared we continued our journey.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    After a heavy rain, the sky cleared nicely for the evening.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    Shake the test tube well, and the liquid should slowly clear.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  5. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR) To eliminate ambiguity or doubt from (a matter); to clarify or resolve; to clear up.
    We need to clear this issue once and for all.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  6. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR) To remove from suspicion, especially of having committed a crime.
    Synonyms: absolve, exonerate, vindicate; see also Thesaurus:acquit
    The court cleared the man of murder.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  7. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR) To pass without interference; to miss.
    The door just barely clears the table as it closes.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    The leaping horse easily cleared the hurdles.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  8. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR, activities such as jumping or throwing) To exceed a stated mark.
    She was the first female high jumper to clear two metres.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  9. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR, video gamesCategory:en:Video games#CLEAR) To finish or complete (a stage, challenge, or game).
    I cleared the first level in 36 seconds.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  10. (intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#CLEAR) Of a check or financial transaction, to go through as payment; to be processed so that the money is transferred.
    The check might not clear for a couple of days.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  11. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR, businessCategory:en:Business#CLEAR) To earn a profit of; to net.
    He's been clearing seven thousand a week.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  12. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR) To approve or authorise for a particular purpose or action; to give clearance to.
    Air traffic control cleared the plane to land.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    The marketing department has cleared the press release for publication.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  13. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR) To obtain approval or authorisation in respect of.
    I've cleared the press release with the marketing department, so go ahead and publish it.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  14. (intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#CLEAR) To obtain a clearance.
    The steamer cleared for Liverpool today.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  15. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR) To obtain permission to use (a sample of copyrighted audio) in another track.
  16. To disengage oneself from incumbrances, distress, or entanglements; to become free.
    • 1613, Francis Bacon, The Eſſaies (second edition), essay 18: “Of Expences”:
      Beſides, he that cleares at once will relapſe: for finding himſelfe out of ſtraights, he will reuert to his cuſtomes. But hee that cleareth by degrees, induceth an habite of frugality, and gaineth as well vpon his minde, as vpon his Eſtate.
  17. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR, intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#CLEAR, sportsCategory:en:Sports#CLEAR) To hit, kick, head, punch etc. (a ball, puck) away in order to defend one's goal.
    The goalkeeper rushed forward to clear the ball.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    A low cross came in, and Smith cleared.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
    • 2010 December 29, Chris Whyatt, “Chelsea 1-0 Bolton”, in BBC‎:
      Bolton then went even closer when Elmander's cross was met by a bullet header from Holden, which forced a wonderful tip over from Cech before Drogba then cleared the resulting corner off the line.
      Category:English terms with quotations#CLEAR
  18. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR, computingCategory:en:Computing#CLEAR) To reset or unset; to return to an empty state or to zero.
    to clear an array;  to clear a single bit (binary digit) in a valueCategory:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  19. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR, computingCategory:en:Computing#CLEAR) To style (an element within a document) so that it is not permitted to float at a given position.
  20. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#CLEAR, firearmsCategory:en:Firearms#CLEAR) To unload a firearm, or undergo an unloading procedure, in order to prevent negligent discharge; for safety reasons, to check whether one's firearm is loaded or unloaded.
    To prevent any shooting accidents, remember to clear your pistol and stay aware of your surroundings.Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR

Derived terms

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Noun

clear (plural clears)Category:English lemmas#CLEARCategory:English nouns#CLEARCategory:English countable nouns#CLEARCategory:English entries with incorrect language header#CLEARCategory:Pages with entries#CLEARCategory:Pages with 1 entry#CLEAR

  1. (carpentryCategory:en:Carpentry#CLEAR) Full extent; distance between extreme limits; especially; the distance between the nearest surfaces of two bodies, or the space between walls.
    a room ten feet square in the clearCategory:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  2. (video gamesCategory:en:Video games#CLEAR) The completion of a stage or challenge, or of the whole game.
    It took me weeks to achieve a one-credit clear (1CC).Category:English terms with usage examples#CLEAR
  3. (ScientologyCategory:en:Scientology#CLEAR) A person who is free from the influence of engrams.

See also

References

Anagrams

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