# clears

/ˈkɫɪɹz/ (US) · /klˈiəz/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to remove items

verb · CEFR A2

to remove things that are not wanted from a place.

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

- He always clears the table immediately after the family finishes dinner.
- The waiter clears the table with such efficiency that the guests hardly notice the transition between courses.

### 2. to become bright or transparent

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- The sky usually clears after a heavy rainstorm in the afternoon.
- The liquid gradually clears as the sediment settles to the bottom of the beaker, leaving a transparent solution at the top.

### 3. to pass over or past

verb · CEFR B2

to go over or past something without touching it.

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

- The tall truck barely clears the top of the tunnel.
- The athlete clears the final hurdle with inches to spare, maintaining her lead as she approaches the finish line.

### 4. to gain approval or profit

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- The company clears a huge profit every time they release a new phone.
- The pilot clears the flight plan with air traffic control before taxiing toward the active runway.

### 5. type of flour

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a strong, coarse type of flour used in baking.

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

- The baker uses clears to give the rye bread a better texture.
- The recipe specifically calls for first clears to ensure the dough has sufficient strength to support the heavy grains.

## Examples

- The sky clears after the heavy rain stops.
- The waiter clears the table once the guests finish their main course to make room for dessert.
- As the morning fog finally clears, the jagged peaks of the mountain range become visible against the pale blue horizon, revealing the path the hikers must follow.

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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.