clear
gb/klˈɪɹ/ us/klˈɪɹ/
A2
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Easy to understand
Easy to understand or see.
Usage pattern:
[something] is clear
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'clear' with 'clean' when talking about understanding. 'Clear' refers to being easy to understand, not free from dirt.
Synonyms
obvious (Stronger implication that something is self-evident.)
Antonyms
unclear (Means not easy to understand or perceive.)
Collocations
clear instructions
|clear message
|clear explanation
|perfectly clear
|make it clear
Themes
communication
|learning
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her explanation was clear and concise.
- The teacher gave clear instructions for the assignment.
- It’s clear that he is unhappy with the decision.
Learner examples
- The map is clear.
- Your voice is clear.
- It is clear you are tired.
adjective
A2
property
2
Transparent or see-through
Easy to see through; not cloudy.
Usage pattern:
[something] is clear
Synonyms
transparent (More formal and technical, especially for materials.)
Antonyms
cloudy (Not transparent; difficult to see through.)
Collocations
clear glass
|clear water
|clear sky
Themes
nature
|weather
|vision
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The lake water was so clear that you could see the fish.
- The sky was clear and blue.
- Use a clear container so you can see what's inside.
Learner examples
- The water is clear.
- The sky is clear today.
- I have a clear bottle.
Verb
A2
action
3
Remove obstructions
To take away things that block or fill a place.
Usage pattern:
to clear [something] of [something]
Synonyms
empty (Focuses on making something have nothing in it, not necessarily removing obstructions.)
Antonyms
block (To put something in the way so it cannot be used or passed.)
Collocations
clear the table
|clear the road
|clear a path
Themes
daily life
|work
|cleaning
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Please clear the table after dinner.
- Workers are clearing debris from the road.
- We need to clear a path through the snow.
Learner examples
- Clear your desk before you leave.
- They cleared the road after the storm.
- I will clear the table.
adjective
B1
state
4
Certain or sure about something
Sure about what you think or feel; not confused.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is clear about [something]
Synonyms
certain (More formal and definite in tone.)
Antonyms
unsure (Not certain or confident about something.)
Collocations
clear idea
|clear mind
|clear understanding
Themes
emotions
|thinking
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I’m clear about what needs to be done.
- She made sure everyone was clear on the rules.
- He isn’t clear on the details yet.
Learner examples
- I am clear about my job.
- She is clear about the plan.
- He is not clear on this point.
Verb
B2
action
5
Give official permission after checks
To say officially that someone can do something after checking them.
Usage pattern:
to clear [someone/something] for [activity]
Synonyms
authorize (More formal and bureaucratic in tone.)
Antonyms
deny (Refuse permission for something.)
Collocations
clear customs
|clear security
|cleared for takeoff
Themes
law
|business
|work
Examples
- The plane was cleared for takeoff.
- She was cleared by security to enter the building.
- The shipment cleared customs without problems.
Learner examples
- The doctor cleared me to play sports.
- We cleared customs quickly.
- The pilot cleared us for landing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
clear
IPA
GB/klˈɪɹ/
US/klˈɪɹ/
Syllables & stress
clear (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (clear)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: clear
- Comparative: clearer
- Superlative: clearest
Verb
- Base: clear
- 3rd Person Singular: clears
- Present Participle: clearing
- Past: cleared
Word family
Expressions
clear out
1/klˈɪɹ ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Remove all things or leave quickly
To take everything out of a place, or to leave a place quickly and completely.
Examples
- We need to clear out the garage this weekend.
- The police told everyone to clear out of the building.
clear up
1/klˈɪɹ ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Tidy or resolve confusion
To make a place clean and tidy by removing things, or to explain something so people understand it.
Examples
- Let’s clear up the living room before guests arrive.
- The teacher cleared up the misunderstanding.
in the clear
1/ˈɪn ðə klˈɪɹ/
idiom
Free from suspicion or danger
Not in trouble anymore; no longer suspected of doing something wrong or in danger.
Examples
- The police found the real thief, so now she’s in the clear.
- After the medical tests, he was in the clear.
crystal clear
1/kɹˈɪstəl klˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
Perfectly transparent or obvious
Very easy to see through or very easy to understand.
Examples
- Her instructions were crystal clear.
- The instructions were crystal clear, so everyone knew what to do.
- The water in the bay was crystal clear.
- On a sunny day, the sea here is crystal clear.
make it clear
1/mˈeɪk ˈɪt klˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
Explain something so it’s understood
To say or show something in a way that people can easily understand.
Examples
- Please make it clear what you expect from us.
- I want to make it clear that we will not accept late work.
- He made it clear that he was not interested in selling the house.
- He made it clear that he was not interested in selling the car.