noun
Uncommon
clarification
kla-rih-fih-KAY-shuhn
Clarification (noun) means the act of making something clearer or easier to understand. Example: “She emailed the professor asking for clarification on the assignment.”
noun
1
The act of making something clearer or easier to understand.
"She emailed the professor asking for clarification on the assignment."
"His clarification cleared up the confusion instantly."
"The manager sent a short note offering clarification of the new holiday rules."
2
The process of removing impurities from a liquid to make it clear.
"Clarification of the butter removes the milk solids."
"Clarification of the stock is what makes a consommé perfectly clear."
"The chef strained the broth through muslin during clarification to remove cloudy particles."
How to use clarification
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMaking something clearer — either an idea/explanation or, more technically, a liquid.
Common pairings
ask for clarification
seek clarification
further clarification
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Word forms
- Plural
- clarifications
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She emailed the professor asking for _____ on the assignment.
Etymology
From Latin clarificatio, from clarus, "clear."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for clarification
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for clarification →
Frequently asked questions
What does “clarification” mean?
The word “clarification” means the act of making something clearer or easier to understand. In plain terms, making something clearer — either an idea/explanation or, more technically, a liquid.
How do you pronounce “clarification”?
“Clarification” is pronounced kla-rih-fih-KAY-shuhn (/ˌklæɹɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “clarification” in a sentence?
Here is “clarification” used in a sentence: “She emailed the professor asking for clarification on the assignment.”
What part of speech is “clarification”?
“Clarification” is a noun.
Where does the word “clarification” come from?
The word “clarification” comes from Latin. From Latin clarificatio, from clarus, "clear.".
Is “clarification” a common word?
“Clarification” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “clarification” have?
“Clarification” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of making something clearer or easier to understand.
What is the difference between "clarification" and "explanation"?
"Clarification" specifically means making something that was unclear or ambiguous easier to understand, often in response to confusion, while "explanation" is a broader term for describing or giving reasons for something. You ask for "clarification" on a specific confusing point, but an "explanation" of how or why something works.
What does "clarification" mean when talking about butter or other liquids?
In this sense, "clarification" refers to the process of removing impurities from a liquid to make it clear, as when clarifying butter by separating out the milk solids.
What is a polite way to "ask for clarification"?
Common phrasings include "Could you clarify what you mean by...?" or "I'd like some clarification on...", both of which politely signal that a point needs to be made clearer before proceeding.
