Clear: meaning, definitions and examples

When talking about weather or skies without clouds.

• It's a clear day with no clouds in the sky.
• The weather forecast says it will be clear tomorrow.

When something is see-through, often used in scientific or technical contexts, or to describe honesty.

• The glass is completely transparent.
• We believe in being transparent with our clients.

Emphasizing that something is very easy to see through or understand with no ambiguity.

• The instructions she gave were crystal clear.
• The ocean water was crystal clear.

Describing substances, especially water or air, that are clean and free from any contaminants.

• The mountain air was pure and refreshing.
• They drink pure spring water.

Literary or formal use, often to describe liquids or eyes that are clear and free from any cloudiness.

• The limpid stream flowed through the valley.
• She gazed into his limpid blue eyes.

Use this when you want to remove obstacles or to make something easy to understand.

• Please clear the table before setting it for dinner.
• Her explanation helped to clear my confusion.

Use this when you want to describe something free from dirt or impurities.

• I need to clean my room this weekend.
• Make sure to clean your hands before eating.

Use this when you want to arrange things neatly and in order, often in relation to rooms or spaces.

• Please tidy your room before our guests arrive.
• She spent the afternoon tidying up her workspace.

Use this in more formal or technical contexts to describe removing contaminants or impurities, often related to liquids or air.

• The company uses advanced technology to purify drinking water.
• These machines can purify the air in your home effectively.

Use this when you want to make something hygienic by eliminating bacteria or germs. Often used in contexts like healthcare, food preparation, and cleaning.

• Hospitals must sanitize their equipment regularly.
• Remember to sanitize your hands to prevent the spread of germs.

Suitable for general use in both formal and informal contexts to indicate something is easily understood or seen.

• It is clear that he needs help
• The sky is clear today

Best used when something is so clear that it doesn’t require much thought or explanation, can sometimes have a negative connotation if used to suggest something should have been easily understood.

• It is obvious that they are friends
• The answer was obvious to everyone

Used when something seems to be true based on the evidence available, often used in more formal contexts.

• It became apparent that she was not coming
• The apparent solution might not be the best one

Appropriate for formal contexts, often used to indicate something that is clear based on available evidence or facts.

• It is evident from his behavior that he is upset
• The results of the experiment made it evident that the hypothesis was correct

Commonly used to describe something that is simple and easy to understand or see, often in an informal context.

• She made it plain that she wasn't interested
• The instructions were plain and easy to follow