# clarification

/ˌkɫɛɹəfəˈkeɪʃən/ (US) · /klˌæɹɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/clarification
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. an explanation

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

an explanation that makes something easier to understand.

For teachers: the act of making a statement or situation less confused and more comprehensible.

- I asked the teacher for clarification because I didn't understand the homework instructions.
- The legal team requested further clarification on the third clause of the contract to ensure no misinterpretation could occur during the trial.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'seek', 'provide', or 'request'.

### 2. a clarifying comment

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a short note or comment added to a text to make it clearer.

For teachers: a supplemental piece of information intended to disambiguate a previously published statement without changing its core meaning.

- The newspaper published a clarification about the dates mentioned in yesterday's article.
- The editor issued a formal clarification regarding the source of the statistics, noting that the original data had been rounded for brevity.

### 3. removing impurities

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the process of making a liquid clear by removing dirt or other bits.

For teachers: the process of making a liquid transparent by separating out insoluble particles or impurities.

- The clarification of the water took several hours using the new filter system.
- In the final stage of the brewing process, clarification is essential to ensure the beverage meets the required standards of transparency and shelf-life.

## Examples

- I need clarification on the new rules.
- She asked for clarification regarding the deadline for the final report.
- The minister provided a brief clarification to address the media's concerns about the proposed tax changes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.