clear
♦♦♦ clear /kl'ɪər/ (clearer clearest clears clearing cleared)
1 [ADJ]
Something that is clear is easy to understand, see, or hear.
The book is clear, readable and adequately illustrated...
The space telescope has taken the clearest pictures ever of Pluto...
He repeated his answer, this time in a clear, firm tone of voice.
≠ unclear
● clearly [ADV] usu ADV -ed/adj, also ADV after v
Whales journey up the coast of Africa, clearly visible from the beach...
It was important for children to learn to express themselves clearly.
2 [ADJ] oft it v-link ADJ that/wh
Something that is clear is obvious and impossible to be mistaken about.
It was a clear case of homicide...
The clear message of the scientific reports is that there should be a drastic cut in car use...
A spokesman said the British government's position is perfectly clear...
It's not clear whether the incident was an accident or deliberate.
≠ unclear
● clearly [ADV] ADV with cl/group
Clearly, the police cannot break the law in order to enforce it...
= obviously
3 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ about/on n/wh
If you are clear about something, you understand it completely.
It is important to be clear about what Chomsky is doing here...
People use scientific terms with no clear idea of their meaning.
4 [ADJ]
If your mind or your way of thinking is clear, you are able to think sensibly and reasonably, and you are not affected by confusion or by a drug such as alcohol.
She needed a clear head to carry out her instructions.
● clearly [ADV] ADV after v
The only time I can think clearly is when I'm alone.
5 [VERB] V n, V n of n
To clear your mind or your head means to free it from confused thoughts or from the effects of a drug such as alcohol.
He walked up Fifth Avenue to clear his head...
Our therapists will show you how to clear your mind of worries.
6 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A clear substance is one which you can see through and which has no colour, like clean water.
...a clear glass panel...
The water is clear and plenty of fish are visible.
= transparent
7 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
If a surface, place, or view is clear, it is free of unwanted objects or obstacles.
The runway is clear-go ahead and land...
Caroline prefers her worktops to be clear of clutter...
The windows will allow a clear view of the beach.
8 [VERB] V n, V n of n, V n from/off n
When you clear an area or place or clear something from it, you remove things from it that you do not want to be there.
To clear the land and harvest the bananas they decided they needed a male workforce...
Workers could not clear the tunnels of smoke...
Firemen were still clearing rubble from apartments damaged at the scene of the attack.
9 [VERB] V n for n
If something or someone clears the way or the path for something to happen, they make it possible.
The Prime Minister resigned today, clearing the way for the formation of a new government...
10 [ADJ]
If it is a clear day or if the sky is clear, there is no mist, rain, or cloud.
On a clear day you can see the French coast...
The winter sky was clear.
11 [VERB] V
When fog or mist clears, it gradually disappears.
The early morning mist had cleared.
12 [ADJ]
Clear eyes look healthy, attractive, and shining.
...clear blue eyes...
Her eyes were clear and steady.
13 [ADJ]
If your skin is clear, it is healthy and free from spots.
14 [ADJ]
If you say that your conscience is clear, you mean you do not think you have done anything wrong.
Mr Garcia said his conscience was clear over the jail incidents...
15 [ADJ] v-link ADJ of n, v n ADJ
If something or someone is clear of something else, it is not touching it or is a safe distance away from it.
As soon as he was clear of the terminal building he looked round...
16 [VERB] V n
If an animal or person clears an object or clears a certain height, they jump over the object, or over something that height, without touching it.
Sotomayor, the Cuban holder of the world high jump record, cleared 2.36 metres.
17 [VERB] V n, V
When a bank clears a cheque or when a cheque clears, the bank agrees to pay the sum of money mentioned on it.
Polish banks can still take two or three weeks to clear a cheque...
Allow time for the cheque to clear.
18 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed, be V-ed for n
If a course of action is cleared, people in authority give permission for it to happen.
Linda Gradstein has this report from Jerusalem, which was cleared by an Israeli censor...
Within an hour, the helicopter was cleared for take-off...
19 [VERB] be V-ed of n/-ing, V n
If someone is cleared, they are proved to be not guilty of a crime or mistake.
She was cleared of murder and jailed for just five years for manslaughter...
In a final effort to clear her name, Eunice has written a book.
20
see also clearing, crystal clear
21 [CONVENTION]
You can say `Is that clear?' or `Do I make myself clear?' after you have told someone your wishes or instructions, to make sure that they have understood you, and to emphasize your authority.
We're only going for half an hour, and you're not going to buy anything. Is that clear?
22 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR after v
If someone is in the clear, they are not in danger, or are not blamed or suspected of anything.
The Audit Commission said that the ministry was in the clear.
23 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR that
If you make something clear, you say something in a way that makes it impossible for there to be any doubt about your meaning, wishes, or intentions.
Mr O'Friel made it clear that further insults of this kind would not be tolerated...
The far-right has now made its intentions clear.
24 [PREP-PHRASE] amount PREP n
If something or someone is a certain amount clear of a competitor, they are that amount ahead of them in a competition or race. (BRIT)
Keegan's team are now seven points clear of West Ham...
He crossed the line three seconds clear of Tom Snape.
25 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR of n
If you steer clear or stay clear of someone or something, you avoid them.
The rabbis try to steer clear of political questions.
26
to clear the air: see air
the coast is clear: see coast
to clear the decks: see deck
loud and clear: see loud
to clear your throat: see throatall clear
1 [N-SING] the N
The all clear is a signal that a dangerous situation, for example an air raid, has ended.
The all clear was sounded about 10 minutes after the alert was given.
[CONVENTION]
All clear is also a convention.
`All clear,' Misha growled.
2 [N-SING] the N
If someone in authority gives you the all clear, they give you permission to continue with a plan or activity, usually after a problem has been sorted out.
I was given the all clear by the doctor to resume playing.
= go-aheadclear away
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P
When you clear things away or clear away, you put away the things that you have been using, especially for eating or cooking.
The waitress had cleared away the plates and brought coffee...
Tania cooked, served, and cleared away.clear off
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you tell someone to clear off, you are telling them rather rudely to go away. (INFORMAL)
The boys told me to clear off.clear out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P of n, V P
If you tell someone to clear out of a place or to clear out, you are telling them rather rudely to leave the place. (INFORMAL)
She turned to the others in the room. `The rest of you clear out of here.'...
`Clear out!' he bawled. `Private property!'
= get out
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you clear out a container, room, or house, you tidy it and throw away the things in it that you no longer want.
I took the precaution of clearing out my desk before I left.
see also clear-outclear up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P
When you clear up or clear a place up, you tidy things and put them away.
After breakfast they played while I cleared up...
I cleared up my room.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
To clear up a problem, misunderstanding, or mystery means to settle it or find a satisfactory explanation for it.
During dinner the confusion was cleared up: they had mistaken me for Kenny.
see also clear-up
= sort out
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P
To clear up a medical problem, infection, or disease means to cure it or get rid of it. If a medical problem clears up, it goes away.
Antibiotics should be used to clear up the infection...
Acne often clears up after the first three months of pregnancy.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When the weather clears up, it stops raining or being cloudy.
It all depends on the weather clearing up.crys|tal clear
1 [ADJ]
Water that is crystal clear is absolutely clear and transparent like glass.
The cliffs, lapped by a crystal-clear sea, remind her of Capri.
2 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
If you say that a message or statement is crystal clear, you are emphasizing that it is very easy to understand.
The message is crystal clear-if you lose weight, you will have a happier, healthier, better life...
1 [ADJ]
Something that is clear is easy to understand, see, or hear.
The book is clear, readable and adequately illustrated...
The space telescope has taken the clearest pictures ever of Pluto...
He repeated his answer, this time in a clear, firm tone of voice.
≠ unclear
● clearly [ADV] usu ADV -ed/adj, also ADV after v
Whales journey up the coast of Africa, clearly visible from the beach...
It was important for children to learn to express themselves clearly.
2 [ADJ] oft it v-link ADJ that/wh
Something that is clear is obvious and impossible to be mistaken about.
It was a clear case of homicide...
The clear message of the scientific reports is that there should be a drastic cut in car use...
A spokesman said the British government's position is perfectly clear...
It's not clear whether the incident was an accident or deliberate.
≠ unclear
● clearly [ADV] ADV with cl/group
Clearly, the police cannot break the law in order to enforce it...
= obviously
3 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ about/on n/wh
If you are clear about something, you understand it completely.
It is important to be clear about what Chomsky is doing here...
People use scientific terms with no clear idea of their meaning.
4 [ADJ]
If your mind or your way of thinking is clear, you are able to think sensibly and reasonably, and you are not affected by confusion or by a drug such as alcohol.
She needed a clear head to carry out her instructions.
● clearly [ADV] ADV after v
The only time I can think clearly is when I'm alone.
5 [VERB] V n, V n of n
To clear your mind or your head means to free it from confused thoughts or from the effects of a drug such as alcohol.
He walked up Fifth Avenue to clear his head...
Our therapists will show you how to clear your mind of worries.
6 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A clear substance is one which you can see through and which has no colour, like clean water.
...a clear glass panel...
The water is clear and plenty of fish are visible.
= transparent
7 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
If a surface, place, or view is clear, it is free of unwanted objects or obstacles.
The runway is clear-go ahead and land...
Caroline prefers her worktops to be clear of clutter...
The windows will allow a clear view of the beach.
8 [VERB] V n, V n of n, V n from/off n
When you clear an area or place or clear something from it, you remove things from it that you do not want to be there.
To clear the land and harvest the bananas they decided they needed a male workforce...
Workers could not clear the tunnels of smoke...
Firemen were still clearing rubble from apartments damaged at the scene of the attack.
9 [VERB] V n for n
If something or someone clears the way or the path for something to happen, they make it possible.
The Prime Minister resigned today, clearing the way for the formation of a new government...
10 [ADJ]
If it is a clear day or if the sky is clear, there is no mist, rain, or cloud.
On a clear day you can see the French coast...
The winter sky was clear.
11 [VERB] V
When fog or mist clears, it gradually disappears.
The early morning mist had cleared.
12 [ADJ]
Clear eyes look healthy, attractive, and shining.
...clear blue eyes...
Her eyes were clear and steady.
13 [ADJ]
If your skin is clear, it is healthy and free from spots.
14 [ADJ]
If you say that your conscience is clear, you mean you do not think you have done anything wrong.
Mr Garcia said his conscience was clear over the jail incidents...
15 [ADJ] v-link ADJ of n, v n ADJ
If something or someone is clear of something else, it is not touching it or is a safe distance away from it.
As soon as he was clear of the terminal building he looked round...
16 [VERB] V n
If an animal or person clears an object or clears a certain height, they jump over the object, or over something that height, without touching it.
Sotomayor, the Cuban holder of the world high jump record, cleared 2.36 metres.
17 [VERB] V n, V
When a bank clears a cheque or when a cheque clears, the bank agrees to pay the sum of money mentioned on it.
Polish banks can still take two or three weeks to clear a cheque...
Allow time for the cheque to clear.
18 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed, be V-ed for n
If a course of action is cleared, people in authority give permission for it to happen.
Linda Gradstein has this report from Jerusalem, which was cleared by an Israeli censor...
Within an hour, the helicopter was cleared for take-off...
19 [VERB] be V-ed of n/-ing, V n
If someone is cleared, they are proved to be not guilty of a crime or mistake.
She was cleared of murder and jailed for just five years for manslaughter...
In a final effort to clear her name, Eunice has written a book.
20
see also clearing, crystal clear
21 [CONVENTION]
You can say `Is that clear?' or `Do I make myself clear?' after you have told someone your wishes or instructions, to make sure that they have understood you, and to emphasize your authority.
We're only going for half an hour, and you're not going to buy anything. Is that clear?
22 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR after v
If someone is in the clear, they are not in danger, or are not blamed or suspected of anything.
The Audit Commission said that the ministry was in the clear.
23 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR that
If you make something clear, you say something in a way that makes it impossible for there to be any doubt about your meaning, wishes, or intentions.
Mr O'Friel made it clear that further insults of this kind would not be tolerated...
The far-right has now made its intentions clear.
24 [PREP-PHRASE] amount PREP n
If something or someone is a certain amount clear of a competitor, they are that amount ahead of them in a competition or race. (BRIT)
Keegan's team are now seven points clear of West Ham...
He crossed the line three seconds clear of Tom Snape.
25 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR of n
If you steer clear or stay clear of someone or something, you avoid them.
The rabbis try to steer clear of political questions.
26
to clear the air: see air
the coast is clear: see coast
to clear the decks: see deck
loud and clear: see loud
to clear your throat: see throatall clear
1 [N-SING] the N
The all clear is a signal that a dangerous situation, for example an air raid, has ended.
The all clear was sounded about 10 minutes after the alert was given.
[CONVENTION]
All clear is also a convention.
`All clear,' Misha growled.
2 [N-SING] the N
If someone in authority gives you the all clear, they give you permission to continue with a plan or activity, usually after a problem has been sorted out.
I was given the all clear by the doctor to resume playing.
= go-aheadclear away
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P
When you clear things away or clear away, you put away the things that you have been using, especially for eating or cooking.
The waitress had cleared away the plates and brought coffee...
Tania cooked, served, and cleared away.clear off
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you tell someone to clear off, you are telling them rather rudely to go away. (INFORMAL)
The boys told me to clear off.clear out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P of n, V P
If you tell someone to clear out of a place or to clear out, you are telling them rather rudely to leave the place. (INFORMAL)
She turned to the others in the room. `The rest of you clear out of here.'...
`Clear out!' he bawled. `Private property!'
= get out
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you clear out a container, room, or house, you tidy it and throw away the things in it that you no longer want.
I took the precaution of clearing out my desk before I left.
see also clear-outclear up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P
When you clear up or clear a place up, you tidy things and put them away.
After breakfast they played while I cleared up...
I cleared up my room.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
To clear up a problem, misunderstanding, or mystery means to settle it or find a satisfactory explanation for it.
During dinner the confusion was cleared up: they had mistaken me for Kenny.
see also clear-up
= sort out
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P
To clear up a medical problem, infection, or disease means to cure it or get rid of it. If a medical problem clears up, it goes away.
Antibiotics should be used to clear up the infection...
Acne often clears up after the first three months of pregnancy.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When the weather clears up, it stops raining or being cloudy.
It all depends on the weather clearing up.crys|tal clear
1 [ADJ]
Water that is crystal clear is absolutely clear and transparent like glass.
The cliffs, lapped by a crystal-clear sea, remind her of Capri.
2 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
If you say that a message or statement is crystal clear, you are emphasizing that it is very easy to understand.
The message is crystal clear-if you lose weight, you will have a happier, healthier, better life...