clarify
KLAR-ih-feye
Clarify (verb) means to make an idea, statement, or situation easier to understand. Example: “The manager clarified the new rules so nobody was confused.”
verb
1
To make an idea, statement, or situation easier to understand.
"The manager clarified the new rules so nobody was confused."
"Could you clarify what you mean by that?"
"The teacher clarified the instructions before the test began."
2
To make a liquid clear by removing impurities.
"The chef clarifies the stock by straining it through fine cloth."
"You can clarify honey by warming it gently and skimming the top."
"Melt and clarify the butter before adding it to the sauce."
How to use clarify
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo explain something so it's no longer confusing, or to remove impurities from a liquid.
Common pairings
clarify a point
clarify matters
clarify butter
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- clarifies
- Past tense
- clarified
- Archaic forms
- clarifiest, clarifiedst, clarifieth
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Could you _____ what you mean by that?
Etymology
From Old French clarifiier, from Latin clarificare, "to make clear" — from clarus ("clear") + facere ("make").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for clarify
See all rhymes for clarify →Frequently asked questions
What does “clarify” mean?
The word “clarify” means to make an idea, statement, or situation easier to understand. In plain terms, to explain something so it's no longer confusing, or to remove impurities from a liquid.
How do you pronounce “clarify”?
“Clarify” is pronounced KLAR-ih-feye (/ˈklæɹ.ɪ.faɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “clarify” in a sentence?
Here is “clarify” used in a sentence: “Could you clarify what you mean by that?”
What part of speech is “clarify”?
“Clarify” is a verb.
Where does the word “clarify” come from?
The word “clarify” comes from Latin. From Old French clarifiier, from Latin clarificare, "to make clear" — from clarus ("clear") + facere ("make").
Is “clarify” a common word?
“Clarify” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “clarify” have?
“Clarify” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make an idea, statement, or situation easier to understand.
What is the difference between clarify and explain?
Clarify means to make an idea, statement, or situation that is already partly understood easier to understand, often by removing confusion or ambiguity. Explain is broader and can mean giving new information from scratch, not just correcting or refining an existing understanding.
Can clarify be used outside of communication, such as in cooking?
Yes, clarify also has a literal sense meaning to make a liquid clear by removing impurities, such as clarifying butter or stock. This technical cooking use is distinct from its more common meaning of making an explanation clearer.
When should you use clarify instead of confirm?
Use clarify when a statement or situation is unclear or ambiguous and needs to be made easier to understand, and use confirm when you are simply verifying that something already understood is correct. Clarify addresses confusion, while confirm addresses certainty.
