clarify

[ klar-uh-fahy ]
See synonyms for clarify on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),clar·i·fied, clar·i·fy·ing.
  1. to make (an idea, statement, etc.) clear or intelligible; to free from ambiguity.

  2. to remove solid matter from (a liquid); to make into a clear or pellucid liquid.

  1. to free (the mind, intelligence, etc.) from confusion; revive: The short nap clarified his thoughts.

verb (used without object),clar·i·fied, clar·i·fy·ing.
  1. to become clear, pure, or intelligible: The political situation clarified.

Origin of clarify

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French clarifier, from Late Latin clārificāre, equivalent to Latin clār(us) “clear” + -ificāre -ify

Other words for clarify

Other words from clarify

  • clar·i·fi·ca·tion [klar-uh-fuh-key-shuhn], /ˌklær ə fəˈkeɪ ʃən/, noun
  • clar·i·fi·er, noun
  • non·clar·i·fied, adjective
  • un·clar·i·fied, adjective
  • un·clar·i·fy·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use clarify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for clarify

clarify

/ (ˈklærɪˌfaɪ) /


verb-fies, -fying or -fied
  1. to make or become clear or easy to understand

  2. to make or become free of impurities

  1. to make (fat, butter, etc) clear by heating, etc, or (of fat, etc) to become clear as a result of such a process

Origin of clarify

1
C14: from Old French clarifier, from Late Latin clārificāre, from Latin clārus clear + facere to make

Derived forms of clarify

  • clarification, noun
  • clarifier, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012