1
b
: cloudless
specifically
: less than one-tenth covered
a clear sky
c
: free from mist, haze, or dust
a clear day
d
: untroubled, serene
a clear gaze
2
a
: free from blemishes
clear skin
b
: easily seen through : transparent
clear glass
clear plastic bags
c
: free from abnormal sounds on auscultation
3
a
: easily heard
a loud and clear sound
b
: easily visible : plain
a clear signal
c
: free from obscurity or ambiguity : easily understood : unmistakable
a clear explanation
4
a
: capable of sharp discernment : keen
a clear thinker
b
: free from doubt : sure
not clear on how to proceed
5
: free from guile or guilt : innocent
a clear conscience
6
: unhampered by restriction or limitation: such as
a
: free of debts or charges
a clear estate
b
: net
a clear profit
c
: unqualified, absolute
a clear victory
d
: free from obstruction
clear passage
e
: emptied of contents or cargo
A ship is clear after unloading.
f
: free from entanglement or contact
staying clear of controversy
keep clear of the boundary
clearness
noun
1
: in a clear manner
to cry loud and clear
2
: all the way
drove clear across the state
cleared; clearing; clears
1
a
: to make clear or translucent
clear the water by filtering
b
: to free from pollution or cloudiness
clear the atmosphere
3
4
a
: to free from what obstructs or is unneeded: such as
(1)
: open sense 1b
clear a path
(2)
: to remove unwanted growth or items from
clear the land of timber
(3)
: to rid or make a rasping noise as if ridding (the throat) of phlegm
needed to clear my throat
(4)
: to erase stored or displayed data from (a device, such as a computer or calculator)
b
: to empty of occupants
clear the room
c
: disentangle
clear a fishing line
d
: to remove from an area or place
clear the dishes from the table
5
6
a
: to free from obligation or encumbrance
c(1)
: to free (a ship or shipment) by payment of duties or harbor fees
(2)
: to pass through (customs)
d
: to gain without deduction : net
clear a profit
e
: to put through a clearinghouse
clear a check
7
a
: to go over, under, or by without touching
the ball just cleared the uprights
b
: to move through successfully : pass
the bill cleared the legislature
1
2
a
: to obtain permission to discharge cargo
b
: to conform to regulations or pay requisite fees prior to leaving port
The ship cleared yesterday and is ready to sail.
3
: to pass through a clearinghouse
4
: to go to an authority (as for approval) before becoming effective
All tax bills must clear through our committee.
1
: a clear space or part
2
: a high arcing shot over an opponent's head in badminton
Synonyms
Examples of clear in a Sentence
Adjective
There are clear differences between the two candidates.
She's the clear favorite to win the election.
I'm not completely happy with the plan, but I see no clear alternative.
He was the clear winner.
She has made it abundantly clear that she does not support us.
It's not clear how much longer we'll have to wait.
“Changes will have to be made.” “Yes, that's clear.”
Her writing has a clear style.
The instructions weren't very clear about when we were supposed to begin.
I think I have a clear understanding of the problem.
Adverb
We drove clear across the state.
The ball rolled clear across the street.
Verb
The sky cleared after the rain.
The weather is cloudy now, but it's clearing gradually.
The morning fog gradually cleared.
When the smoke cleared, we could see that the building had been completely destroyed.
The water cleared after the mud had settled.
My skin cleared when I started using the cream.
They cleared timber from the land.
She cleared everything out of the closet.
I'll clear those books out of the way.
The police ordered the crowd to clear the area.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Shortly after taking office in 2021, Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed to combat provider directory misinformation, so there seemed to be a clear path to confronting ghost networks.
—Max Blau, ProPublica, 14 Nov. 2024
Susan Tompor, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024
While Rocket loves the cat tree, our other two cats have steered clear, seeming to sense that this is his territory.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
While the Transportation Department can set narrow rules through NHTSA that would help clear a path for autonomous vehicles, mass adoption of self-driving cars likely will require a broader act of Congress.
—Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 18 Nov. 2024
Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Musk could fall afoul of federal laws That doesn’t mean Musk is entirely in the clear.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clear 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
As research continues, there will develop a clearer understanding of how cannabis interacts with the immune system during viral infections.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Shortly after taking office in 2021, Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed to combat provider directory misinformation, so there seemed to be a clear path to confronting ghost networks.
—Max Blau, ProPublica, 14 Nov. 2024
Adverb
Rivers said sometimes the answers aren't clear cut, particularly after a string of mergers and acquisitions, but employees can be directed to the correct spot to track down a plan.
—Susan Tompor, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024
While Rocket loves the cat tree, our other two cats have steered clear, seeming to sense that this is his territory.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
Once she is medically cleared she will be booked at Santa Rita Jail on assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, reckless evading of a peace officer, failure to obey a court order and resisting arrest with an enhancement of committing a felony while out on her own recognizance.
—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
While the Transportation Department can set narrow rules through NHTSA that would help clear a path for autonomous vehicles, mass adoption of self-driving cars likely will require a broader act of Congress.
—Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 18 Nov. 2024
Noun
Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation previously had issues with non-compliance relating to incomplete audited accounts for 2020, but were subsequently deemed to be in the clear.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Musk could fall afoul of federal laws That doesn’t mean Musk is entirely in the clear.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clear
Dictionary Entries Near clear
Cite this Entry
“Clear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clear. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clear
1 of 4 adjective1
2
a
: free of blemishes
a clear complexion
b
: easily seen through : transparent
clear glass
3
: easily heard, seen, or understood
a clear voice
the meaning was clear
4
: free from doubt : sure
a clear understanding of the issue
5
: free from guilt : innocent
a clear conscience
6
: free from restriction or entanglement
a clear profit
the coast is clear
clearness
noun
clear
2 of 4 adverb1
: in a clear manner
shout loud and clear
2
: all the way : completely
can see clear to the mountains
the hole goes clear through
clear
3 of 4 verb1
a
: to make or become clear
clear the water by filtering
the sky is clearing
b
: to go away : vanish
clouds cleared away after the rain
2
: to free from blame
cleared my name
3
: to make understandable : explain
cleared the matter up for me
4
a
: to free from things blocking
clear land for crops
clear a path
b
: to remove stored or displayed data from (as a computer or calculator)
5
: to give or get approval
the proposal cleared the committee
6
: to pay in full : settle
clear an account
7
: to go through customs
8
: net entry 4
cleared a profit
9
: to get rid of : remove
clear the dishes from the table
10
: to go over or by without touching
cleared the fence
clear
4 of 4 noun
: a clear space or part
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English clere "clear, bright," from early French cler (same meaning), from Latin clarus "clear, bright" — related to clairvoyance, declare
Medical Definition
clear
1 of 2 adjective1
a
of the skin or complexion
: good in texture and color and without blemish or discoloration
b
of an animal coat
: of uniform shade without spotting
2
: free from abnormal sounds on auscultation
clear
2 of 2 transitive verb1
: to render (a specimen for microscopic examination) transparent by the use of an agent (as an essential oil) that modifies the index of refraction
2
: to rid (the throat) of phlegm or of something that makes the voice indistinct or husky
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