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to clear

to clear

98 1.0
To make water or air free from harmful substances
  • verb
  • /klɪr/
: 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.

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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
156 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 purify
vsto clear
28 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 clear up
vsto clear
25 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
14 3.9

Remove unwanted parts from a material to make it pure

describes achieving transparency or purity rather than the processing method
to brighten
vsto clear
10 2.1

To become less cloudy with more light

refers to removing impurities or making things transparent, not only increasing light
to clarify
vsto clear
  • Specialized
4 4.2

To remove solid bits so a liquid becomes clear

applies to making things transparent generally, not only liquids

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 Clear

to purify
28 4.6
to clear
98 1.0
to clarify
  • Specialized
4 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.