What does "clears" mean?

1. (to remove items) to remove things that are not wanted from a place. 2. (to become bright or transparent) to become easy to see through or to become bright, like the sky. 3. (to pass over or past) to go over or past something without touching it. 4. (to gain approval or profit) to get official permission or to make a specific amount of profit. 5. (type of flour) a strong, coarse type of flour used in baking.

clears

v. · n.

US //ˈkɫɪɹz// UK //klˈiəz// clears

1 to remove items (v.)
A2 Elementary

to remove things that are not wanted from a place.

to remove obstructions or unwanted items from a surface or area. Transitive — requires a direct object.

Example

He always clears the table immediately after the family finishes dinner.

Example

The waiter clears the table with such efficiency that the guests hardly notice the transition between courses.
- clutter
- fill
2 to become bright or transparent (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to become easy to see through or to become bright, like the sky.

to become transparent, translucent, or free from clouds or mist. Often used intransitively with 'up'.

Example

The sky usually clears after a heavy rainstorm in the afternoon.

Example

The liquid gradually clears as the sediment settles to the bottom of the beaker, leaving a transparent solution at the top.
- brighten
- clarify
- cloud
- darken
3 to pass over or past (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to go over or past something without touching it.

to pass over, under, or by something without making physical contact.

Example

The tall truck barely clears the top of the tunnel.

Example

The athlete clears the final hurdle with inches to spare, maintaining her lead as she approaches the finish line.
- hit
- strike
4 to gain approval or profit (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to get official permission or to make a specific amount of profit.

to obtain official authorisation or to realise a net profit after all expenses.

Example

The company clears a huge profit every time they release a new phone.

Example

The pilot clears the flight plan with air traffic control before taxiing toward the active runway.
- lose
5 type of flour (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Cooking

a strong, coarse type of flour used in baking.

a grade of flour that remains after the patent flour has been removed; typically high in protein and ash content.

Example

The baker uses clears to give the rye bread a better texture.

Example

The recipe specifically calls for first clears to ensure the dough has sufficient strength to support the heavy grains.
- flour

Last updated June 20, 2026