clearly

The word “clearly” means in a way that is easy to see, hear, or understand. In plain terms, plainly, distinctly — or "obviously," when used to open a sentence.

“Clearly” is pronounced KLEER-lee (/ˈklɪɚli/ in IPA).

Here is “clearly” used in a sentence: “She spoke clearly so everyone could follow.”

Words with a similar meaning to “clearly” include unambiguously and obviously.

“Clearly” is an adverb.

“Clearly” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Clearly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a way that is easy to see, hear, or understand.

Both can introduce something evident, but they lean different ways. 'Clearly' stresses that something is easy to perceive or understand — sharp and unambiguous. 'Obviously' stresses that something is so evident it needs no proof, and can sound impatient. You write clearly; a mistake is obviously wrong.

You might say, 'She explained the rules clearly, so everyone understood,' showing ease of understanding. Or, 'I could clearly see the mountains,' showing ease of sight. As a comment on a whole statement it means evidently: 'Clearly, we need a new plan.'

The opposite depends on the sense. When it means easy to understand, opposites include 'vaguely,' 'unclearly,' and 'confusingly.' When it means easy to see or hear, opposites include 'faintly,' 'dimly,' or 'indistinctly.' Each captures a different way something can fail to come across.

'Clearly' is neutral and works in both formal and casual settings, from essays and reports to everyday speech. Used at the start of a sentence to mean 'evidently,' it can sound slightly assertive, so in careful writing some prefer 'evidently' or simply showing the evidence instead.