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to clear

to clear

205 5.5
To get official permission or approval
  • verb
  • /klɪr/
  • Formal
: 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
926 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
251 4.4

To give official permission for someone to do something

is the broader act of official consent rather than delegating power
to sign off
vsto clear
134 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 confirm
vsto clear
  • Formal
115 2.6

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

is broader official consent not focused on personnel confirmation
to ratify
vsto clear
  • Formal
63 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
45 6.3

To give official permission for something

is general official consent used in many administrative situations
to okay
vsto clear
8 3.1

To give official permission to proceed

is the neutral official consent without the casual tone
to O.K.
vsto clear
4 2.3

To give permission to start or use something

is the neutral administrative consent rather than the casual endorsement
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 homologate
vsto clear
  • Formal
1 9.9

To officially approve a product for legal or technical use

is general official consent not limited to technical or legal checks

Antonyms

760 1.9

Refuse to accept someone or something

661 1.6

To refuse to let someone have something

Idioms

in the clear
  • Informal
41 4.4

Not in danger, trouble, or under suspicion

20 3.2

Safe to go because no one is watching

Easy to understand without extra details

8.0

Decide you can do something after problems are solved

Phrasal Verbs

194 3.1

Remove all things from a place so it becomes empty

164 2.3

To explain something so people understand it

62 2.6

To finish tasks completely so nothing is left

38 4.0

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

To stop worrying and think calmly to focus

25 1.8

To take things away from a place to make it tidy

25 2.0

To become clear after cloudy or rainy weather

to clear the air
  • Informal
25 4.1

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

24 3.0

Remove things from a surface to make it empty or clean

Remove dishes and other things from the table after a meal

5 5.7

Finish current tasks and remove problems to prepare for something new

to clear-cut
  • Specialized
4 6.1

To cut down all the trees in an area at once

1 4.6

Remove mucus from the chest or lungs by coughing

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

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

To stop thinking about upsetting or confusing thoughts to feel calmer

to clear the table
  • Specialized
1 4.2

Remove all rows from a database table to make it empty

Say something so other people understand what you mean

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

Compounds

all clear
  • Formal
79 3.2

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

45 4.2

Easy to see and understand

crystal clear
  • Informal
41 2.5

Very easy to understand or hear

16 1.3

An obvious thing that shows something is true

14 3.1

Completely see-through so you can easily see inside

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

10 7.6

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

An exchange of information that people understand easily

clear sailing
  • Informal
2 3.5

A time when things move forward easily and without problems

clear-air turbulence
  • Specialized
1 8.4

Sudden strong air movement in clear sky that shakes airplanes

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

clear liquid diet
  • Specialized
1 3.7

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

clear-cutting
  • Specialized
1 5.2

Cutting down all the trees in an area at once

An honest, fair look at the facts

clear glaze
  • Specialized
1 4.1

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

A clear agreement with an idea, policy, or group

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

How Approved

to ratify
  • Formal
63 6.0
to authorize
251 4.4
to clear
  • Formal
205 5.5
to approve
926 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.