verb B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

clarify

KLAR-ih-feye

Clarify (verb) means to make an idea, statement, or situation easier to understand. Example: “Could you clarify what you mean by that?”

verb

To make an idea, statement, or situation easier to understand.

"Could you clarify what you mean by that?"

"The teacher clarified the instructions before the test began."

To make a liquid clear by removing impurities.

"Melt and clarify the butter before adding it to the sauce."

How to Use Clarify

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

clarified past tense, clarify plural, clarified plural, clarifies singular, clarify singular, clarified singular, clarifiest singular, clarifiedst singular, clarifieth singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “clarify” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Could you _____ what you mean by that?

Etymology

From Old French clarifiier, from Latin clarificare, "to make clear" — from clarus ("clear") + facere ("make").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for clarify

unify verify pacify notify purify modify qualify amplify crucify specify falsify certify

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.