clear - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

From Middle English clere, from Anglo-Norman cler, from Old French cler (Modern French clair), from Latin clarus. Displaced native Middle English schir (“clear, pure”) (from Old English scīr (“clear, bright”)), Middle English skere (“clear, sheer”) (from Old English scǣre and Old Norse skǣr (“sheer, clear, pure”)), Middle English smolt (“clear (of mind), serene”) (from Old English smolt (“peaceful, serene”)). Cognate with Danish, German, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, and Swedish klar, Dutch klaar, French clair, Italian chiaro, Portuguese claro, Romanian clar, Spanish claro.

clear (comparative clearer, superlative clearest)

  1. Transparent in colour.
    Synonyms: pellucid, transparent; see also Thesaurus:transparent
    Antonyms: opaque, turbid
    Hyponyms: clear as crystal, crystal clear
    as clear as crystal
  2. Bright; luminous; not dark or obscured.
    Antonyms: obscure; see also Thesaurus:dark
    The windshield was clear and clean.
    Congress passed the President’s Clear Skies legislation.
  3. Free of obstacles.
    The driver had mistakenly thought the intersection was clear.
    • 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter I, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:
      Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path […]. It twisted and turned, […] and opened out into a big clear space like a lawn. And, back of the lawn, was a big, old-fashioned house, with piazzas stretching in front of it, and all blazing with lights. 'Twas the house I'd seen the roof of from the beach.
    • 2023 November 15, Prof. Jim Wild, “This train was delayed because of bad weather in space”, in RAIL, number 996, page 30:
      " […] On the 18th of October, 1841, a very intense magnetic disturbance was recorded, and amongst other curious facts mentioned is that of the detention of the 10:05pm express train at Exeter for 16 minutes, as from the magnetic disturbance affecting the needles so powerfully, it was impossible to ascertain if the line was clear at Starcross. The superintendent at Exeter reported the next morning that someone was playing tricks with the instruments, and would not let them work."
  4. Without clouds.
    Synonyms: cloudless, noncloudy, unclouded, uncloudy
    Antonyms: cloudy, nebulous; see also Thesaurus:nebulous
    Hyponym: crystal clear
    clear weather; a clear day
    • 1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
      Serene, smiling, enigmatic, she faced him with no fear whatever showing in her dark eyes. The clear light of the bright autumn morning had no terrors for youth and health like hers.
  5. (meteorology) Of the sky, such that less than one eighth of its area is obscured by clouds.
  6. Free of ambiguity or doubt; easily understood.
    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:comprehensible, Thesaurus:explicit
    Antonyms: see Thesaurus:incomprehensible, Thesaurus:confusing
    Hyponyms: clear as crystal, crystal clear, plain as day; see also Thesaurus:obvious
    He gave clear instructions not to bother him at work.
    She made it clear that she dislike me.
    I'm still not quite clear on what some of these words mean.
    • 2013 June 8, “The new masters and commanders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8839, page 52:
      From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. […] But viewed from high up in one of the growing number of skyscrapers in Sri Lanka’s capital, it is clear that something extraordinary is happening: China is creating a shipping hub just 200 miles from India’s southern tip.
    • 2021 February 23, Jeanne Sahadi, “So you got a PPP loan? Here’s what that means for your state taxes”, in CNN Business‎[1]:
      In several months you’re likely to have a clearer picture on how your state intends to treat your forgiven PPP loan and the deductibility of your business expenses not just for tax year 2020 but also tax year 2021.
    • 2021 June 30, Anthony Lambert, “A railway station fit for the 21st century”, in RAIL, number 934, page 42:
      NR Chairman Sir Peter Hendy had made it clear that he didn't want anything that smacked of the bus shelters seen at many small, usually unstaffed stations.
    • 2025 January 28, David Goldman and Elisabeth Buchwald, “Trump just gave his clearest picture yet of what new tariffs could look like”, in CNN Business‎[2]:
      But Trump laid out his clearest message yet on tariffs during an address to House Republicans on Monday, spelling out what imports his administration plan to tax first.
  7. Distinct, sharp, well-marked.
    Synonyms: conspicuous; see also Thesaurus:distinct
    Hyponym: crystal clear
  8. (figuratively) Free of guilt, or suspicion.
    Synonyms: blameless, clean, pure; see also Thesaurus:innocent
    a clear conscience
    • 1754, Alexander Pope, “Verses occasioned by Mr. Addison's treatise of medals”, in Joseph Addison, Dialogues Upon the Usefulness of Ancient Medals, page 5:
      Statesman, yet friend to truth! in soul sincere,
      In action faithful, and in honour clear
  9. (of a soup) Without a thickening ingredient.
    Antonym: thick
  10. Possessing little or no perceptible stimulus.
    clear of texture; clear of odor
  11. (Scientology) Free from the influence of engrams; see Clear (Scientology).
  1. Able to perceive straightforwardly; keen; acute; penetrating; discriminating.
    a clear intellect; a clear head
  1. Not clouded with passion; serene; cheerful.
  1. Easily or distinctly heard; audible.
    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:audible
    Hyponym: crystal clear
  1. Unmixed; entirely pure.
    Synonym: homogeneous
    clear sand
  2. Without defects or blemishes, such as freckles or knots.
    a clear complexion; clear lumber
  3. Without diminution; in full; net.
    a clear profit
  1. (of a railway signal) Showing a green aspect, allowing a train to proceed past it.
  1. (MLE) Good, the best.
    Nando's is clear.
  2. (UK, Ireland, Commonwealth, especially sports) Better than, superior to. (usually with points, votes, etc.)

transparent in colour

bright, not obscured

free of obstacles

without clouds

free of ambiguity or doubt

free of guilt or suspicion

Scientology: free from the influence of engrams

Translations to be checked

clear (not comparable)

  1. (informal) All the way; entirely.
    I threw it clear across the river to the other side.
  2. Not near something or touching it.
    Stand clear of the rails, a train is coming.
  3. Free (or separate) from others.
    • 2010 December 29, Chris Whyatt, “Chelsea 1 - 0 Bolton”, in BBC‎[3]:
      Much soul-searching is going on at the west London club who, just seven weeks ago, were five points clear at the top of the table and playing with the verve with which they won the title last season.
  4. In a clear manner; plainly.
    • 1667, John Milton, “Book XII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
      Now clear I understand
      What oft my steadiest thoughts have searched in vain
    • 1992, Orson Scott Card, Cruel Miracles‎[5]:
      Can't they see for themselves? Course not. Looks like dust to them, so they can't see it clear at all
    • 2005, Sammatha Crosby Scott, There's a War Inside of Me‎[6], page 111:
      I would get very short with people and speak clear of my feelings without consideration of their feelings.
    • 2009, Stephen James Shore, Annalea A Princess in Exile‎[7], page 160:
      Then I heard clear your mother's voice, crying out in distress!
    • 2010, Jack Mayatt, A Better Man: An Inspirational Book‎[8], page 20:
      Now when God called him, Moses told God immediately that he could not speak clear enough to be this leader.

all the way

clear (third-person singular simple present clears, present participle clearing, simple past and past participle cleared)

  1. (transitive) To remove obstructions, impediments or other unwanted items from.
    Police took two hours to clear the road.
    If you clear the table, I'll wash up.
    • 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter IX, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:
      “A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron; and she looked it, always trim and trig and smooth of surface like a converted yacht cleared for action.
      Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, […].
    • 1715–8, Matthew Prior, “Alma: or, The Progreſs of the Mind” in Poems on Several Occaſions (1741), canto III, p.297:
      Faith, Dick, I muſt confeſs, ’tis true
      (But this is only Entre Nous)
      That many knotty Points there are,
      Which All diſcuſs, but Few can clear.
    • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 7, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
      ‘Children crawled over each other like little grey worms in the gutters,’ he said. ‘The only red things about them were their buttocks and they were raw. Their faces looked as if snails had slimed on them and their mothers were like great sick beasts whose byres had never been cleared. […]’
    • 2013 June 29, “Unspontaneous combustion”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8842, page 29:
      Since the mid-1980s, when Indonesia first began to clear its bountiful forests on an industrial scale in favour of lucrative palm-oil plantations, “haze” has become an almost annual occurrence in South-East Asia. The cheapest way to clear logged woodland is to burn it, producing an acrid cloud of foul white smoke that, carried by the wind, can cover hundreds, or even thousands, of square miles.
  2. (transitive) To remove (items or material) so as to leave something unobstructed or open.
    Synonym: (plants) stub
    Please clear all this stuff off the table.
    The loggers came and cleared the trees.
    • 1711 November 6, Joseph Addison, The Spectator, number 215:
      […] Aristotle has brought to explain his Doctrine of Substantial Forms, when he tells us that a Statue lies hid in a Block of Marble; and that the Art of the statuary only clears away the superfluous Matter, and removes the Rubbish.
  3. (intransitive) To leave abruptly; to clear off or clear out.
    • 1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part I, page 199:
      Then the whole population cleared into the forest, expecting all kinds of calamities to happen, while, on the other hand, the steamer Fresleven commanded left also in a bad panic, in charge of the engineer, I believe.
  4. (intransitive) To become free from obstruction or obscurement; to become transparent.
    When the road cleared we continued our journey.
    After a heavy rain, the sky cleared nicely for the evening.
    Shake the test tube well, and the liquid should slowly clear.
  5. (transitive) To eliminate ambiguity or doubt from (a matter); to clarify or resolve; to clear up.
    We need to clear this issue once and for all.
  6. (transitive) To remove from suspicion, especially of having committed a crime.
    Synonyms: absolve, exonerate, vindicate; see also Thesaurus:acquit
    The court cleared the man of murder.
    • 1713, John Dryden, “Preface”, in Fables Antient and Modern:
      […] yet I appeal to the reader, and am sure he will clear me from Partiality.
  7. (transitive) To pass without interference; to miss.
    The door just barely clears the table as it closes.
    The leaping horse easily cleared the hurdles.
    If we stay on this course we should clear the buoy.
  8. (transitive, activities such as jumping or throwing) To exceed a stated mark.
    She was the first female high jumper to clear two metres.
  9. (transitive, video games) To finish or complete (a stage, challenge, or game).
    I cleared the first level in 36 seconds.
  10. (intransitive) Of a check or financial transaction, to go through as payment; to be processed so that the money is transferred.
    The check might not clear for a couple of days.
  11. (transitive, business) To earn a profit of; to net.
    He's been clearing seven thousand a week.
  1. (transitive) To approve or authorise for a particular purpose or action; to give clearance to.
    Air traffic control cleared the plane to land.
    The marketing department has cleared the press release for publication.
  2. (transitive) To obtain approval or authorisation in respect of.
    I've cleared the press release with the marketing department, so go ahead and publish it.
    The plane has been cleared for landing.
  3. (intransitive) To obtain a clearance.
    The steamer cleared for Liverpool today.
  4. (transitive) To obtain permission to use (a sample of copyrighted audio) in another track.
  5. To disengage oneself from incumbrances, distress, or entanglements; to become free.
  1. (transitive, intransitive, sports) To hit, kick, head, punch etc. (a ball, puck) away in order to defend one's goal.
    The goalkeeper rushed forward to clear the ball.
    A low cross came in, and Smith cleared.
  1. (transitive, computing) To reset or unset; to return to an empty state or to zero.
    to clear an array; to clear a single bit (binary digit) in a value
  2. (transitive, computing) To style (an element within a document) so that it is not permitted to float at a given position.
  1. (transitive, firearms) To unload a firearm, or undergo an unloading procedure, in order to prevent negligent discharge; for safety reasons, to check whether one's firearm is loaded or unloaded.
    To prevent any shooting accidents, remember to clear your pistol and stay aware of your surroundings.

to remove obstructions or impediments from

to remove in order to make something else unobstructed

to become clear or freed from obstructions

to eliminate ambiguity or doubt; to clarify — see also clear up

to pass without interference; to miss

to obtain permission to use a sample of copyrighted audio in another track

disengage oneself; become free

sports: to defend by moving the ball away from the defending goal

to fell all trees of a forest

computing: reset; return to zero

Translations to be checked

clear (plural clears)

  1. Empty or open area.
    The deer were standing in the clear.
  2. (carpentry) Full extent; distance between extreme limits; especially; the distance between the nearest surfaces of two bodies, or the space between walls.
    a room ten feet square in the clear
  3. (video games) The completion of a stage or challenge, or of the whole game.
    It took me weeks to achieve a one-credit clear (1CC).
  4. (Scientology) A person who is free from the influence of engrams.
    • 1978, Gore Vidal, chapter 2, in Kalki: A Novel, New York, N.Y.: Random House, →ISBN, page 18:
      Neither of them had heard of Kelly or Kalki, but then neither of them had heard of Horace, Alexander Pope, [Blaise] Pascal, [Denis] Diderot, [Werner] Heisenberg’s law or entropy. Their lives were spent, successfully, repelling information. They were perfect “clears,” to use Scientologist jargon.
    • 1985, Rodney Stark, William Sims Bainbridge, The Future of Religion, page 269:
      Today, clear status can be conferred only by high ranking ministers of the church, and clears are not presented for examination by outsiders.