noun
Uncommon
Clare
kleh-uh
Clare (noun) means a nun belonging to the Poor Clares, a Franciscan religious order for women. Example: “The convent was home to a small community of Poor Clares.”
noun
1
A nun belonging to the Poor Clares, a Franciscan religious order for women.
"The convent was home to a small community of Poor Clares."
How to use Clare
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually seen as part of the phrase "Poor Clare," referring to a nun of that Franciscan order — otherwise it's mainly a given name or place name (County Clare, Ireland).
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Word forms
- Plural
- Clares
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The convent was home to a small community of Poor _____.
Etymology
The order takes its name from Saint Clare of Assisi, its 13th-century founder; her own name comes from Latin clarus, "bright, clear."
Class of 1200
Clare joined the language around 1200.
See the full Class of 1200 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Clare
See all rhymes for Clare →Frequently asked questions
What does “Clare” mean?
The word “Clare” means a nun belonging to the Poor Clares, a Franciscan religious order for women. In plain terms, usually seen as part of the phrase "Poor Clare," referring to a nun of that Franciscan order — otherwise it's mainly a given name or place name (County Clare, Ireland).
How do you pronounce “Clare”?
“Clare” is pronounced kleh-uh (/klɛɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Clare” in a sentence?
Here is “Clare” used in a sentence: “The convent was home to a small community of Poor Clares.”
What part of speech is “Clare”?
“Clare” is a noun.
Where does the word “Clare” come from?
The word “Clare” dates back to around 1200 and comes from Latin. The order takes its name from Saint Clare of Assisi, its 13th-century founder; her own name comes from Latin clarus, "bright, clear.".
Is “Clare” a common word?
“Clare” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is a "Poor Clare"?
A Poor Clare is a nun belonging to the Poor Clares, a Franciscan religious order for women. In this sense, "Clare" refers to a member of that order rather than simply the personal name.
Why is the word "Clare" capitalized in this sense?
It is capitalized because it derives from a proper name tied to a specific religious order, rather than being a common, generic noun.
Is "Clare" used only as a name, or does it have another meaning?
Besides being a common given name, "Clare" can also refer specifically to a nun of the Poor Clares, a Franciscan order for women, so context determines which sense is meant.
