clarify
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make (an idea, statement, etc.) clear or intelligible; to free from ambiguity.
- Synonyms:
- resolve, elucidate, illuminate, explain
-
to remove solid matter from (a liquid); to make into a clear or pellucid liquid.
-
to free (the mind, intelligence, etc.) from confusion; revive.
The short nap clarified his thoughts.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to make or become clear or easy to understand
-
to make or become free of impurities
-
to make (fat, butter, etc) clear by heating, etc, or (of fat, etc) to become clear as a result of such a process
Other Word Forms
- clarification noun
- clarifier noun
- nonclarified adjective
- unclarified adjective
- unclarifying adjective
Etymology
Origin of clarify
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French clarifier, from Late Latin clārificāre, equivalent to Latin clār(us) “clear” + -ificāre -ify
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"But regardless of how we got here, this is no longer just an issue between Anthropic and the DoW; this is an issue for the whole industry and it is important to clarify our stance."
From BBC
The ruling clarifies that councils remain responsible for children with EHCPs who are "ordinarily resident" in their area, even if they are temporarily overseas.
From BBC
You have to upload documents, which sometimes need to be clarified, and other times are rejected outright.
From MarketWatch
Cuba's deputy foreign minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío said the US had shown a "willingness" to cooperate on "clarifying these regrettable events".
From BBC
She’s repeatedly keen to clarify that she’s nothing like M even as she defends her, as if she’s slowly realizing just how unhinged the character comes off in the series.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
