Synonyms

clearly

American

[kleer-lee] / ˈklɪər li /

adverb

in a clear manner.

It is difficult to explain complex matters clearly.
without equivocation; decidedly.

It is clearly out of the question to drop the case.

clearly British

/ ˈklɪəlɪ /

adverb

in a clear, distinct, or obvious manner

I could see everything quite clearly
(sentence modifier) it is obvious that; evidently

clearly the social services must be flexible

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What is a basic definition of clearly? Clearly means in a clear manner or way, without uncertainty. Clearly also means happening in a way that is obvious or occurring without question.Clearly is an adverb formed from the word clear, which means free from obscurity or free from doubt. If something happens without blurriness or cloudiness, it happens clearly. For example, when you speak clearly, you are not mumbling or stuttering.

Real-life examples: Many people wear glasses to help them see clearly. Teachers try to explain subjects clearly to students so they don’t get confused or fail to understand the material. Many right-handed people struggle to write clearly with their left hand.
Used in a sentence: I couldn’t hear clearly because I had water in my ears.

Clearly is also used to mean obviously, undoubtedly, or evidently. You might use this sense of clearly when you are so confident about something that you believe there is zero doubt about it, as when it is clearly a bad idea to eat a sandwich that has meat that expired a year ago. Clearly is often used in arguments and opinions, though. Just because a person uses the word clearly doesn’t mean there is no room for disagreement or doubt.

Used in a sentence: I am allergic to peanuts so it clearly wasn’t me who ate the last of the peanut butter.

Related Words

Clearly, definitely, distinctly, evidently imply the way in which something is plainly understood or understandable. Clearly suggests without doubt or obscurity: expressed clearly. Definitely means explicitly; with precision: definitely phrased. Distinctly means without blurring or confusion: distinctly enunciated. Evidently means patently, unquestionably: evidently an error.

Etymology

Origin of clearly

First recorded in 1250–1300, Middle English clerli; clear, -ly

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.

It barred WhatsApp from sharing user data with Meta entities for five years and directed the company to clearly specify the purposes of data sharing in its privacy policy.

From BBC

It clearly says "for research purposes only" on the label wrapped around the jar.

From BBC

“Blake wasn’t right last year, clearly. He’s throwing the baseball really well. Having guys that you trust is everything for the pen. ... You’ve got to count on those veteran guys for sure.”

From Los Angeles Times

The lavish presents - all clearly marked with designer labels - piled up and decorated like a Christmas tree, the expensive trips to five-star resorts around the world, the extravagant wedding parties that closed roads to traffic.

From BBC

Rather than fearing a grandstand finish, David Moyes' team clearly sensed there was still time for one final twist against a side with such defensive vulnerabilities.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023