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to clear

to clear

209 5.5
To get official permission or approval
  • verb
  • /klɪr/
  • Formal
translation icon : autorizar
  • I spoke with the principal, and they cleared it.
  • clear the way
  • clear customs
  • cleared the Senate

Examples

  • We'll send it in so Mr. Nyquist can clear it for broadcast.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The Board will clear him.

  • You are cleared to fire.

  • I would hate to have to get a product cleared in the European Community.

    Academic text (1999)
  • You need Dr. Ranson to clear you before you go back to fighting bad guys.

  • Sir, as I've already told you, there are protocols before you can be cleared to resume command.

  • With a handful of travelers, we cleared security and waited near the tarmac to board the jet.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The committee has cleared the proposal for funding after careful consideration.

  • The security team cleared the area for the event with an official announcement.

  • After the investigation, the attorney confirmed that the lawsuit was cleared by the judge.

Synonyms

to pass
vsto clear
2.3

To officially approve a law or rule

is wider official consent not limited to legal enactment
to approve
vsto clear
1.6

To officially agree to something or think that it is good

is the administrative act of official consent rather than personal approval
to authorize
vsto clear
489 4.4

To give official permission for someone to do something

is the broader act of official consent rather than delegating power
to confirm
vsto clear
  • Formal
265 2.6

To officially approve a person for a job, often by vote

is broader official consent not focused on personnel confirmation
to sign off
vsto clear
95 3.9

To give official approval, usually by writing your name on a document

is the general act of official consent not tied to signing
to ratify
vsto clear
  • Formal
70 6.0

Officially approve an agreement, law, or decision

is the general administrative consent rather than treaty or law validation
to sanction
vsto clear
  • Formal
53 6.3

To give official permission for something

is general official consent used in many administrative situations
to okay
vsto clear
18 3.1

To give official permission to proceed

is the neutral official consent without the casual tone
to repass
vsto clear
  • Formal
1 8.8

Approve a law or decision again

is the primary act of official consent rather than a repeated one
to O.K.
vsto clear
2.3

To give permission to start or use something

is the neutral administrative consent rather than the casual endorsement
to homologate
vsto clear
  • Formal
9.9

To officially approve a product for legal or technical use

is general official consent not limited to technical or legal checks

Antonyms

839 1.9

Refuse to accept someone or something

423 1.6

To refuse to let someone have something

Idioms

in the clear
  • Informal
33 4.4

Not in danger, trouble, or under suspicion

11 3.2

Safe to go because no one is watching

3 8.0

Decide you can do something after problems are solved

Easy to understand without extra details

Phrasal Verbs

Say something so other people understand what you mean

172 2.3

To explain something so people understand it

91 3.1

Remove all things from a place so it becomes empty

51 2.0

To become clear after cloudy or rainy weather

34 4.0

To stay away from people and things that may cause trouble or harm

to clear the air
  • Informal
24 4.1

Help people stop feeling angry or worried by talking about the problem

Remove dishes and other things from the table after a meal

12 2.6

To finish tasks completely so nothing is left

10 1.8

To take things away from a place to make it tidy

8 3.0

Remove things from a surface to make it empty or clean

4 5.7

Finish current tasks and remove problems to prepare for something new

2 4.6

Remove mucus from the chest or lungs by coughing

to clear-cut
  • Specialized
2 6.1

To cut down all the trees in an area at once

To stop thinking about upsetting or confusing thoughts to feel calmer

To stop worrying and think calmly to focus

to clear the table
  • Specialized
1 4.2

Remove all rows from a database table to make it empty

Deal with all the emails in your inbox so it is empty or easy to handle

To cough slightly to remove mucus from your throat or to get attention

To make a clear line between two areas or kinds of activity

Compounds

crystal clear
  • Informal
43 2.5

Very easy to understand or hear

27 4.2

Easy to see and understand

all clear
  • Formal
26 3.2

A signal like a siren or announcement that tells people it is safe after an emergency

10 1.3

An obvious thing that shows something is true

A legal rule that allows stopping speech when it poses a serious, obvious threat to public safety

A message that clearly shows someone's opinion or decision and is easy to understand

Completely see-through so you can easily see inside

clear sailing
  • Informal
2 3.5

A time when things move forward easily and without problems

clear-cutting
  • Specialized
2 5.2

Cutting down all the trees in an area at once

An exchange of information that people understand easily

clear-air turbulence
  • Specialized
1 8.4

Sudden strong air movement in clear sky that shakes airplanes

clear liquid diet
  • Specialized
1 3.7

Only clear drinks and foods like broth, juice or gelatin for medical reasons

A calm part of the ocean that has very clear blue water

A clear agreement with an idea, policy, or group

A clear division between two groups that shows who supports each side in a dispute

clear glaze
  • Specialized
4.1

A clear, thin layer put on wood or other surfaces to protect them and make them look shiny

An honest, fair look at the facts

How Approved

to ratify
  • Formal
70 6.0
to authorize
489 4.4
to clear
  • Formal
209 5.5
to approve
1.6

Surface Forms

clear infinitive
cleared past
cleared past participle
clearing present participle
clears third person singular

Etymology

To clear something officially (for example, customs) is to make it 'free' of legal problems, and this idea comes from Latin clarus meaning 'plain' or 'free', so being clear means you are allowed to go ahead.