clarify
gb/klˈɛɹəfˌaɪ/ us/klˈɛɹəfˌaɪ/
B1
English
~ 3600
tisztáz, pontosít, derít
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to clarify [something]
She asked him to clarify what he meant by 'urgent'.
Megkérte, hogy tisztázza, mire gondolt a „sürgős” szóval.
The teacher clarified the assignment so everyone knew what to do.
A tanár tisztázta a feladatot, hogy mindenki tudja, mit kell csinálnia.
Can you clarify your position on this issue?
The spokesperson clarified the company's plans during the press conference.
Learner examples
Please clarify your answer so I can understand.
Kérlek, pontosítsd a válaszodat, hogy megértsem.
The teacher will clarify the rules.
A tanár tisztázni fogja a szabályokat.
Can you clarify what this word means?
He clarified the steps to finish the task.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'clarify' with 'verify'. 'Clarify' means to make something clear, while 'verify' means to check if something is true.
Meaning
Make something clear or understandable
Collocations
clarify a point
|clarify the situation
|clarify instructions
|clarify meaning
|clarify a misunderstanding
Synonyms
explain (More general; can be used for any act of making something understood, not necessarily simplifying or removing confusion.)
|
elucidate (More formal and academic; often used in scholarly or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
confuse (To make something harder to understand or more unclear.)
Themes
communication
|education
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something easier to understand by explaining it more clearly.
To make a statement, idea, or situation easier to understand by explaining it in more detail or in a simpler way.
VERB
B2
2
derít
C1
Usage pattern:
to clarify [a liquid]
The chef clarified the butter before adding it to the sauce.
A séf a mártáshoz adás előtt derítette a vajat.
You should clarify the stock to remove any cloudiness.
Deríteni kell az alaplevet, hogy eltűnjön belőle a zavarosság.
The process clarifies the wine by filtering out sediment.
Learner examples
We need to clarify the butter for this recipe.
Ehhez a recepthez derítenünk kell a vajat.
She clarified the soup before serving it.
Tálalás előtt derítette a levest.
The chef will clarify the stock.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with explaining something; in cooking, it refers to making a liquid physically clear.
Meaning
Remove solids from a liquid
Collocations
clarify butter
|clarify stock
|clarify soup
Synonyms
purify (General term for removing impurities; may apply to liquids, air, or other substances.)
Antonyms
contaminate (To make something impure or dirty by adding unwanted substances.)
Themes
cooking
|science
|food_drink
Definition
To make a liquid clear by taking out small pieces inside it.
To make a liquid clear by removing solid matter, often by heating or straining.
Grammar
Dictionary form
clarify
IPA
GB/klˈɛɹəfˌaɪ/
US/klˈɛɹəfˌaɪ/
Syllables & stress
cla - ri - fy (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cla)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: clarify
- 3rd Person Singular: clarifies
- Present Participle: clarifying
- Past: clarified
Word family
Expressions
clarify instructions
1/klˈɛɹəfˌaɪ ɪnstɹˈʌkʃənz/
fixed phrase
Make directions easier to follow
To explain directions in a way that is easier to understand.
Examples
- The teacher clarified the instructions for the homework.
- He clarified the instructions so that no one would be confused.
clarify one's position
1/klˈɛɹəfˌaɪ wˈʌnz pəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Explain your opinion clearly
To explain your opinion or plan so others understand it.
Examples
- She clarified her position on climate policy during the interview.
- The senator clarified his position after public criticism.
clarify the situation
1/klˈɛɹəfˌaɪ ðə sˌɪt͡ʃuˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Explain what's happening clearly
To make it easier to understand what is happening.
Examples
- We need to clarify the situation before making a decision.
- The manager clarified the situation for the new employees.