ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cleared

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈkɫɪɹd// UK //klˈiəd// cleared

v. to remove things that are in the way or to get official permission to do something. You use it when you tidy a table or when a plane gets the green light to take off.

v. to remove obstructions or unwanted items from a space; to grant official authorisation for a specific action. Often used in aviation, legal, or administrative contexts to indicate the removal of barriers or the granting of consent.


SIMPLE

The waiter cleared the table after we finished our meal.

CONTEXTUAL

The pilot waited on the runway until the tower cleared the aircraft for departure.

COMPLEX

Once the legal team cleared the final hurdles in the contract, the two companies were finally able to announce their merger to the public.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. In the sense of 'giving permission', it often takes the preposition 'for' ('cleared for takeoff').

Pitfall

The table was cleared from the dishes.The table was cleared of the dishes.When removing items from a surface, use 'clear [something] of [items]' rather than 'from'.

© 2026 English Reference