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REFERENCE

clear

adj. · v. · adv. · n.
US //ˈkɫɪɹ// UK //klˈiə// clear
  1. 1 see-through (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    easy to see through, like glass or clean water.

    transparent or translucent; allowing light to pass through without significant diffusion.

    Example

    The water in the mountain lake was so clear that I could see the fish at the bottom.

    Example

    The architect specified clear tempered glass for the atrium to ensure that the internal structure remained visible from the street.
  2. 2 easy to understand (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    easy to understand or hear without any confusion.

    free from ambiguity, uncertainty, or obscurity; easily perceived by the mind or the senses.

    Example

    The teacher gave us clear instructions on how to finish the project.

    Example

    Despite the technical nature of the subject, the speaker provided a clear and concise overview that resonated with the non-specialist audience.
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  1. 3 empty or open (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    not blocked by anything; having no obstacles in the way.

    free from obstructions, clouds, or unwanted items.

    Example

    The road was clear of traffic, so we arrived at the airport early.

    Example

    Once the storm passed, the sky remained clear for the rest of the week, allowing the rescue teams to operate without delay.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'of'.
  2. 4 to remove things (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to take away things that are not wanted or are blocking a space.

    to remove obstructions or unwanted items from a surface or area.

    Example

    Please clear the table so we can start our board game.

    Example

    The maintenance crew worked through the night to clear the fallen trees from the main highway before the morning rush hour.

    Usage

    Transitive verb taking a direct object.
  3. 5 to approve (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    to give official permission for something to happen.

    to give official authorisation or approval to a person, document, or action.

    Example

    The doctor cleared him to play sports again after his injury.

    Example

    The security committee refused to clear the shipment until all the paperwork had been verified by the customs office.
  4. 6 to pass over (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    to jump over or go past something without touching it.

    to pass over or by something without making contact.

    Example

    The horse cleared the final fence easily and won the race.

    Example

    The aircraft barely cleared the mountain peaks as it struggled to gain altitude in the thin air.
  5. 7 to defend in sports (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Sport

    to kick or hit a ball away from your own goal to stop the other team from scoring.

    to hit, kick, or throw a ball or puck away from the goal area as a defensive move.

    Example

    The defender cleared the ball out of the penalty area just in time.

    Example

    Under heavy pressure from the opposing strikers, the goalkeeper managed to clear the ball toward the halfway line.
  6. 8 to reset (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    to empty a screen or memory, or to set a number back to zero.

    to return a device or data field to an empty or initial state.

    Example

    Press the red button to clear the calculator screen.

    Example

    The system administrator had to clear the cache before the new website updates would appear correctly for the users.
  7. 9 completely (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    all the way to a certain place or through a certain distance.

    completely or entirely; used to emphasise distance or separation.

    Example

    You can see the mountains clear from the other side of the city.

    Example

    The bullet went clear through the wooden fence and lodged itself in the tree behind it.

    Teacher's tip

    Often used in the phrase 'clear through' or 'clear to'.
  8. 10 open space (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    an open area or a state of being free from danger.

    an unobstructed space or a state of being free from suspicion or danger.

    Example

    Once we were in the clear, we stopped running and caught our breath.

    Example

    The investigation found no evidence of fraud, so the company is finally in the clear regarding the tax audit.

    Usage

    Almost exclusively used in the idiomatic phrase 'in the clear'.
Origin

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 klar, Dutch klaar, French clair, German klar, Italian chiaro, Norwegian klar, Portuguese claro, Romanian clar, Spanish claro, and Swedish klar.

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