Skip to main content
to clear

to clear

74 1.0
To make water or air free from harmful substances
  • verb
  • /klɪr/
translation icon : aclarar
  • One oral dose of the antibiotic azithromycin will clear the eyes of a Sudanese girl of trachoma infection.

So it has this extra energy now to start to clean up and clear itself of the senescent cells.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Frequent saline nasal irrigation has been used to clear the nasal and sinus cavities.

    Academic text (2004)
  • He uses warm water to clear the impurities from his skin.

  • The doctors say it will eventually clear up.

  • So I got this and it like cleared my face.

  • Bob, however, had to wait a few hours before the snow cleared and the road once again opened.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The sun had already cleared the dark trees on the steep banks across the river.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • It'll clear, give it a couple of hours.

  • But the flu just wouldn't clear up.

  • Supposed to get a little windy mid-week, but hopefully it'll clear up before the finals.

  • Gastroenteritis is rarely fatal and often clears up within three to five days from the onset of symptoms.

    Academic text (2014)

Synonyms

to clean
vsto clear
1.0

To remove dirt and stains

focuses on achieving transparency or purity rather than general surface cleaning
to filter
vsto clear
138 3.0

To pass something through a device that removes unwanted parts

is about achieving transparency or purity, not only by passing material through devices
to clear up
vsto clear
51 2.0

To become clear after cloudy or rainy weather

means making or becoming transparent or pure in many contexts, not only weather
to refine
vsto clear
  • Specialized
41 3.9

Remove unwanted parts from a material to make it pure

describes achieving transparency or purity rather than the processing method
to purify
vsto clear
30 4.6

To remove dirt and bad chemicals from water or air to make them clean

is a broader act of making things transparent or free from impurities
to clarify
vsto clear
  • Specialized
5 4.2

To remove solid bits so a liquid becomes clear

applies to making things transparent generally, not only liquids
to brighten
vsto clear
5 2.1

To become less cloudy with more light

refers to removing impurities or making things transparent, not only increasing light

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 Clear

to purify
30 4.6
to clear
74 1.0
to clarify
  • Specialized
5 4.2

Surface Forms

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

Etymology

To clear water or air comes from Latin clarus 'bright' or 'pure', so to clear something is to make it clean and free from harmful or dirty parts.