# clarify

/ˈkɫɛɹəˌfaɪ/ (US) · /klˈæɹɪfˌaɪ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 2. to purify a liquid

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to make a liquid pure by removing solid pieces or bubbles from it.

For teachers: to remove solid matter or impurities from a liquid, such as fat or wine, to make it transparent or pure.

- The chef had to clarify the butter by heating it and removing the white foam.
- To produce a traditional consommé, the chef must clarify the stock using egg whites to trap any remaining sediment.

Usage: Commonly used in the context of 'clarified butter' or 'clarifying wine'.

Teaching tip: This is a technical sense; most learners will only encounter it in recipes or chemistry.

## Examples

- Could you clarify your last point?
- The manager asked the team to clarify their goals for the upcoming quarter to avoid any confusion.
- The legal team issued a statement to clarify the terms of the merger, ensuring that all stakeholders understood the implications for their existing shares.

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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.