clearly
KLEER-lee
Clearly (adv) means In a way that is easy to see, hear, or understand. Example: “The sign was clearly visible from the other side of the road.”
adv
1
In a way that is easy to see, hear, or understand.
"The sign was clearly visible from the other side of the road."
"With his new glasses, he could see the board clearly."
"She spoke clearly so everyone could follow."
2
Without doubt; obviously.
"She was clearly tired, so we let her go home early."
"He had clearly not read the instructions before building the shelf."
"Clearly, something had gone wrong with the plan."
"While Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had warned his players against letting the pre-match festivities distract them from the task at hand, they clearly struggled for fluency early on."
— David Ornstein, Arsenal 1 - 0 Everton (2011)
"Clearly, the judge erred in his opinion."
How to use clearly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPlainly, distinctly — or "obviously," when used to open a sentence.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more clearly, clearlier
- Superlative
- most clearly, clearliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The sign was _____ visible from the other side of the road.
Etymology
This word came from Middle English clerli, clerely, clerelych, cleerliche, clerliche. By surface analysis, it is clear + the adverbial -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for clearly
See all rhymes for clearly →Frequently asked questions
What does “clearly” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “clearly”?
“Clearly” is pronounced KLEER-lee (/ˈklɪɚli/ in IPA).
How do you use “clearly” in a sentence?
Here is “clearly” used in a sentence: “She spoke clearly so everyone could follow.”
What is another word for “clearly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “clearly” include unambiguously and obviously.
What part of speech is “clearly”?
“Clearly” is an adverb.
Is “clearly” a common word?
“Clearly” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “clearly” have?
“Clearly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a way that is easy to see, hear, or understand.
What is the difference between 'clearly' and 'obviously'?
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.
What is an example of 'clearly' in a sentence?
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.'
What is the opposite of 'clearly'?
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.
Is 'clearly' formal or informal?
'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.
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