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📝 Easy to understand 🧹 To remove things 🌤️ No obstacles 💬 To explain 🔊 Easily understood ✅ To approve officially 💧 To make pure 😌 No guilt 🏃‍♂️ To go over 🤧 To cough slightly 🔔 Pure or sharp 🆓 No blame 💰 To earn money 📄 No claims 🗑️ To erase data
to clear

to clear

55 3.7
To make a short rough sound to remove mucus from the throat
  • verb
  • /klɪr/
: aclararse la garganta
  • "Uh, Dr. Scarpetta," he said, clearing his throat, "this was inside the fridge."
  • clear one's throat

I could always hear my best self clearing his throat in the room next door.

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Examples

  • Again, Faye didn't move, but she did clear her throat and the sound she made was about two octaves deeper than the real phase voice.

  • He needed to clear his throat before making the important announcement.

  • I just heard my wife clear her throat, which means move on quickly.

  • Now clear your throat and dry these tears.

  • When he finally moves his mouth, it is to clear his throat.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Do you mind clearing your throat for me real quick?

  • "Perhaps you can give me an outline from which to begin?" Helen cleared her throat.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • After a few minutes, the judge cleared his throat and said, 'Mr. Cook, I think he's had enough.'

    Academic text (2009)

  • When Robert couldn't stand the silence any longer, he cleared his throat and said, "Maybe we should get started."

    Academic text (2008)

  • Her voice was husky from disuse, and she cleared her throat discreetly.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

to cough
vsto clear
146 1.0

To push air out of the lungs suddenly, often to clear the throat

is specifically a rasping action to remove airway mucus rather than general air expulsion
to hawk
vsto clear
  • Informal
1 8.9

To clear the throat loudly by bringing up mucus

is less forceful and usually without preparing to spit
to clear the throat
vsto clear
1 2.7

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

is a rasping action to free the airway of mucus more generally

Antonyms

to obstruct
89 5.1

To block a path or view

Idioms

in the clear
  • Informal
41 4.4

Not in danger, trouble, or under suspicion

the coast is clear
  • Informal
20 3.2

Safe to go because no one is watching

clear and to the point
1 3.7

Easy to understand without extra details

to see one's way clear
  • Informal
8.0

Decide you can do something after problems are solved

Phrasal Verbs

to clear out
194 3.1

Remove all things from a place so it becomes empty

to clear up
164 2.3

To explain something so people understand it

to clear up
62 2.6

To finish tasks completely so nothing is left

to steer clear of
  • Informal
38 4.0

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

to clear someone's mind
36 3.7

To stop worrying and think calmly to focus

to clear away
25 1.8

To take things away from a place to make it tidy

to clear up
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

to clear off
24 3.0

Remove things from a surface to make it empty or clean

to clear the table
9 1.1

Remove dishes and other things from the table after a meal

to clear the decks
  • Informal
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

to clear out
1 4.6

Remove mucus from the chest or lungs by coughing

to clear the throat
1 2.7

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

to clear (someone's) inbox
  • Texting
1 3.0

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

to clear one's head
1 3.9

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

to make oneself clear
3.4

Say something so other people understand what you mean

to set a clear boundary
4.1

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

clear-cut
45 4.2

Easy to see and understand

crystal clear
  • Informal
41 2.5

Very easy to understand or hear

clear sign
16 1.3

An obvious thing that shows something is true

crystal clear
14 3.1

Completely see-through so you can easily see inside

clear statement
13 2.1

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

clear and present danger
  • Formal
10 7.6

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

clear communication
4 2.5

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

clear blue sea
1 1.2

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

clear-eyed analysis
1 6.0

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

clear alignment
1 3.9

A clear agreement with an idea, policy, or group

clear battle line
1 5.4

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

How Forceful

to hack
5 5.8
to clear
55 3.7
to cough
146 1.0

Surface Forms

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

Etymology

To clear your throat is to make your voice bright and ready, and this fits the old root clarus meaning 'bright' or 'plain', because you want your sound to be clear and easy to hear.