clear
/klɪə(r)/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Easy to understand or see. Something clear is not confusing, hidden, or cloudy.
- Her instructions were very clear.
- The water is clear enough to see the stones.
- Please give a clear answer.
verb
To remove something, or to make a place empty. It can also mean to get permission or become safe for use.
- Please clear the table after dinner.
- The road was cleared after the storm.
- The doctor cleared him to travel.
Adinary Nuance
Clear is close to words like "easy," "plain," "obvious," and "transparent," but it is more flexible. Use "clear" when you want to say something is easy to understand, easy to see, or free from doubt. "Plain" often means simple or unadorned, while "obvious" means easy for everyone to notice. "Transparent" is stronger for things you can see through, or for honesty in business and government.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- rõ ràng
- Spanish
- claro
- Chinese
- 清楚
- Japanese
- 明確な
- Korean
- 분명한
Etymology
Clear comes from Old French cler, from Latin clarus, meaning "bright" or "shining." The idea of brightness later developed into "easy to see" and "easy to understand."
Common phrases
clear answerclear signclear instructionsclear the way
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is clear more formal than simple or easy?
- Clear is neutral. It works well in speaking, writing, schoolwork, and business.
- What is the difference between clear and obvious?
- Clear means easy to understand or see. Obvious means something is easy to notice or already noticeable.
- Can clear be used in academic writing?
- Yes. It is common in academic and IELTS writing, especially for instructions and explanations.