clarify

verb

clar·​i·​fy ˈkler-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce clarify (audio)
ˈkla-rə-
clarified; clarifying

transitive verb

1
: to make understandable
clarify a subject
The president was forced to clarify his position on the issue.
2
: to free of confusion
needs time to clarify his thoughts
3
: to make (a liquid or something liquefied) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter
clarify syrup

intransitive verb

: to become clear
waiting for the present muddled diplomatic situation to clarifyNewsweek
clarification noun
clarifier noun

Examples of clarify in a Sentence

Can you clarify exactly what it is you're proposing? Her explanation did not clarify matters much. The president was forced to clarify his position on the issue. The committee clarified the manager's duties. a substance used to clarify wine
Recent Examples on the Web What both sides agreed on, however, was that this clarifies the race between two remaining candidates with distinct platforms and visions, neither of which is palatable to the other. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 5 Mar. 2024 The new bills from Tallahassee clarify that a PACE provider needs permission from counties to sign up customers within their boundaries. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 Sweeney clarified that Powell is not her fiancé but reassured the audience that Davino is hanging out backstage in her dressing room. Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024 The camera proceeded to pan to Powell sitting in the audience, but the actress clarified her fiancé was actually backstage. Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Mar. 2024 This will be further clarified by my using one of the above Star Trek prompting lines that were mentioned in the research study. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 After accusing her ex-fiancé Carl Radke — who’s been sober since January 2021 — of using cocaine on Thursday’s installment of the Bravo show, Hubbard, 37, clarified her intentions on her Instagram Story Friday. Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 The Star reached out to Jackson County to clarify why two different due dates are listed. Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024 Mathews then turned to give the camera his surprise reaction to Barrymore’s revelation, which prompted the host to immediately clarify the situation. EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clarify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English clarifien, from Anglo-French clarifier, from Late Latin clarificare, from Latin clarus clear — more at clear

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of clarify was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near clarify

Cite this Entry

“Clarify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarify. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

clarify

verb
clar·​i·​fy ˈklar-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce clarify (audio)
clarified; clarifying
1
: to make or become pure or clear
clarify a liquid
2
: to make or become easier to understand
clarify a statement
clarification noun
clarifier noun

Medical Definition

clarify

verb
clar·​i·​fy ˈklar-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce clarify (audio)
clarified; clarifying

transitive verb

: to make (as a liquid) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter
clarify sewage

intransitive verb

: to become clear
clarification noun
clarifier noun

More from Merriam-Webster on clarify

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