clarity
gb/klˈɛɹɪti/ us/klˈɛɹɪti/
B2
English
~ 7900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
property
1
being easy to understand
The quality of words or ideas being clear and easy to understand.
Usage pattern:
clarity of [speech/writing/explanation]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"the clarity is high"* when talking about explanations. In everyday English it is more natural to say *"It is very clear"* or *"The explanation has a lot of clarity"*. Learners may also confuse *clarity* with *cleverness*; *clarity* is about being easy to understand, not about being smart.
Synonyms
clearness (Very close in meaning, but used less often and sounds slightly more formal or old-fashioned.)
|
lucidity (Emphasizes very clear, logical expression; more formal and literary.)
Antonyms
confusion (Describes a state where information or ideas are hard to understand.)
|
obscurity (Emphasizes that meaning is hidden, vague, or difficult to see or understand.)
Collocations
lack of clarity
|with clarity
|greater clarity
|clarity of explanation
|improve clarity
Themes
communication
|education
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The clarity of her presentation helped everyone understand the new policy.
- Please rewrite this paragraph for greater clarity.
- Legal documents are often criticized for their lack of clarity.
- The teacher explained the concept with such clarity that no one had any questions.
- Good design improves the clarity of the information on the page.
Learner examples
- The clarity of your email was very helpful.
- He speaks with clarity, so students can follow him easily.
- This chart adds clarity to the report.
- I changed the sentence to improve its clarity.
- The rules were written with little clarity, so people were confused.
Noun
B2
property
2
sharpness of sight or sound
The quality of a picture or sound being sharp and easy to see or hear.
Usage pattern:
clarity of [image/sound]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *clarity* with *brightness* when talking about screens or photos. *Clarity* is about how sharp and detailed something is, while *brightness* is about how much light there is.
Synonyms
sharpness (Often used for images to mean clear edges and details.)
|
definition (Technical term in audio and video for how detailed and clear something is.)
Antonyms
blurriness (Describes images that are not sharp or easy to see.)
|
muddiness (Often used for sound that is unclear or hard to distinguish.)
Collocations
image clarity
|sound clarity
|visual clarity
|audio clarity
|high clarity
Themes
technology
|media
|science
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new TV has much better image clarity than our old one.
- We adjusted the microphone settings to improve the clarity of her voice.
- Fog reduced the clarity of the road ahead.
- This camera lens offers outstanding clarity even in low light.
- The sound engineer was praised for the clarity of the live recording.
Learner examples
- The clarity of this photo is amazing.
- We need better sound clarity during the video call.
- Glasses can improve the clarity of your vision.
- The rain on the window reduced the clarity of the view.
- Turn down the music for more clarity in his voice.
Noun
B2
property
3
clear and ordered thinking
A mental state when you can think in a clear, organized way without confusion.
Usage pattern:
clarity of [thought/mind]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"I am clarity"* when they mean *"I am clear"* or *"I have clarity"*. Remember that *clarity* is a noun, so say *"I need clarity"* or *"This gave me clarity"*, not *"I am clarity"*.
Synonyms
focus (Stresses concentration on one thing rather than general clear thinking.)
|
composure (Includes calm emotional control as well as clear thinking.)
Antonyms
confusion (General state of not being able to think or decide clearly.)
|
brain fog (Informal term for mental tiredness and difficulty thinking clearly.)
Collocations
mental clarity
|a moment of clarity
|gain clarity
|find clarity
|achieve clarity
Themes
emotions
|health
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After a good night's sleep, she woke up with a new sense of clarity.
- Meditation helps him maintain mental clarity during stressful times.
- In a rare moment of clarity, he realized he needed to change his habits.
- Time away from work gave her the clarity to decide what she really wanted.
- Exercise can improve both your mood and your mental clarity.
Learner examples
- I need some clarity before I make this big choice.
- A short walk gave me clarity about my problem.
- He lost his mental clarity after many hours of work.
- With more rest, you will have more clarity.
- In that moment of clarity, she understood what to do.
Noun
C1
property
4
cleanness and transparency of a substance
How clear and clean a liquid or material is, without dirt or cloudiness.
Usage pattern:
clarity of [water/liquid/material]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this is a more physical or technical use of *clarity*. In everyday speech, people more often use *clean* or *clear* for water instead of *clarity* unless they are being precise.
Synonyms
purity (Emphasizes being free from anything dirty or mixed in.)
|
transparency (Focuses on how easily you can see through a material.)
Antonyms
cloudiness (Describes liquids that look milky or dirty and are hard to see through.)
|
impurity (Refers to unwanted substances that reduce the clarity of a material.)
Collocations
water clarity
|optical clarity
|high clarity
|crystal clarity
|diamond clarity
Themes
science
|environment
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The clarity of the lake water surprised the visitors.
- This filter greatly improves the clarity of drinking water.
- Gemstones are judged on their color, clarity, and cut.
- The solution must have complete clarity before the next step in the experiment.
- Fog and dust in the air reduced the optical clarity of the telescope.
Learner examples
- The clarity of the pool water shows it is clean.
- Scientists measured the clarity of the river.
- Glass with high clarity lets in more light.
- They tested the clarity of the drinking water.
- The diamond has very good clarity.
Noun
formal
B2
property
5
certainty and lack of ambiguity in a situation
A situation where the facts, rules, or plans are clear and not confusing.
Usage pattern:
clarity on [issue/matter]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to use *clarity* as a verb in this sense, for example *"This will clarity the rules"*. The correct verb is *clarify*: *"This will clarify the rules"*. Use *clarity* as a noun: *"This will bring clarity"*.
Synonyms
certainty (Focuses more on being sure, not on how well something is explained.)
|
transparency (Often used in politics and business to stress openness rather than just clear rules.)
Antonyms
ambiguity (Direct opposite; describes situations where something has more than one possible meaning.)
|
uncertainty (Focuses on not knowing what is decided or what will happen.)
Collocations
provide clarity
|seek clarity
|regulatory clarity
|clarity on the issue
|bring clarity
Themes
business
|politics
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- Employees are asking for clarity on the new remote work policy.
- The government promised greater clarity around the tax changes.
- These guidelines provide much-needed clarity for small businesses.
- The report brings clarity to a complex and emotional debate.
- Investors want regulatory clarity before they commit more money.
Learner examples
- We need clarity on our goals for this year.
- The manager gave clarity about the new rules.
- The email did not provide clarity about the deadline.
- The meeting helped bring clarity to the problem.
- She asked for clarity on her role in the project.
Grammar
Dictionary form
clarity
IPA
GB/klˈɛɹɪti/
US/klˈɛɹɪti/
Syllables & stress
clar - ity (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (clar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: clarity
- Plural: clarities, clarity
Word family
Expressions
a moment of clarity
1/ə mˈoʊmənt əv klˈɛɹɪti/
idiom
short time of sudden clear thinking
A short time when you suddenly understand something very clearly, often after being confused for a long time.
Examples
- In a moment of clarity, he realized he needed to quit his job.
- She had a moment of clarity and saw what the real problem was.
- During one brief moment of clarity, he decided to ask for help.
achieve clarity
1/ət͡ʃˈiv klˈɛɹɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
successfully reach a clear state
To successfully make ideas, writing, or plans clear and not confusing.
Examples
- The editor helped the author achieve clarity in the final draft.
- It took several meetings to achieve clarity on the budget.
- We must achieve clarity before presenting this to the board.
bring clarity to
1/bɹˈɪŋ klˈɛɹɪti tə/
fixed phrase
formal
make a subject easier to understand
To make a situation, problem, or subject easier to understand.
Examples
- The report aims to bring clarity to the debate about climate change.
- Her questions brought clarity to the confusing discussion.
- We hope this guide will bring clarity to the new rules.
for clarity
1/fɚ klˈɛɹɪti/
fixed phrase
as a way to make it clearer
Said when you add or change something so it will be easier to understand.
Examples
- For clarity, the figures have been rounded.
- The diagram has been simplified for clarity.
- I changed the order of the questions for clarity.
for the sake of clarity
1/fɚ ðə sˈeɪk əv klˈɛɹɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
to make something easier to understand
Used when you add or change information so that people can understand it more easily.
Examples
- For the sake of clarity, let me repeat the main points.
- We changed the graph, for the sake of clarity, before sending the report.
- For the sake of clarity, all prices are shown with tax included.
gain clarity
1/ɡˈeɪn klˈɛɹɪti/
fixed phrase
reach better understanding
To understand something more clearly than before.
Examples
- Talking to a mentor helped her gain clarity about her career goals.
- You may gain clarity if you take a break and think about it.
- We need to gain clarity before we make a final decision.
lack of clarity
1/lˈæk əv klˈɛɹɪti/
fixed phrase
state of not being clear
A situation where information is not clear and people are confused.
Examples
- The lack of clarity in the instructions caused several mistakes.
- There is still a lack of clarity about how the law will be applied.
- A lack of clarity in your writing can hide your main idea.
provide clarity
1/pɹəvˈaɪd klˈɛɹɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
give information that explains
To give information that helps people understand something more clearly.
Examples
- The FAQ section is there to provide clarity for new users.
- Could you provide some clarity on how these changes affect us?
- This example should provide clarity on the correct method.
seek clarity
1/sˈik klˈɛɹɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
try to understand better
To try to get a better, clearer understanding of something.
Examples
- Don't be afraid to ask questions when you seek clarity.
- The committee met to seek clarity on the legal issues.
- She is seeking clarity about what she wants from life.
with clarity
1/wˈɪθ klˈɛɹɪti/
fixed phrase
in an easy-to-understand way
In a way that is clear and easy to understand.
Examples
- She answered all of the questions with clarity.
- Good leaders communicate their vision with clarity.
- The teacher explained the grammar rules with clarity.