clarify
Use Clarify in a sentence
əˌfaɪ verb (used with object)
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.
3.
to free (the mind, intelligence, etc.) from confusion; revive: The short nap clarified his thoughts.
verb (used without object)
4.
to become clear, pure, or intelligible: The political situation clarified.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French clarifier < Late Latin clārificāre, equivalent to Latin clār(us) clear + -ificāre -ify
1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French clarifier < Late Latin clārificāre, equivalent to Latin clār(us) clear + -ificāre -ify
Related forms
clar·i·fi·ca·tion, noun
clar·i·fi·er, noun
non·clar·i·fi·ca·tion, noun
non·clar·i·fied, adjective
un·clar·i·fied, adjective
Synonyms
1. explain, illuminate, elucidate, resolve.
1. explain, illuminate, elucidate, resolve.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To clarify
00:10
Clarify
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
clarify (ˈklærɪˌfaɪ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb , -fies, -fying, -fied | |
| 1. | to make or become clear or easy to understand |
| 2. | to make or become free of impurities |
| 3. | to make (fat, butter, etc) clear by heating, etc, or (of fat, etc) to become clear as a result of such a process |
| [C14: from Old French clarifier, from Late Latin clārificāre, from Latin clārus clear + facere to make] | |
| clarifi'cation | |
| —n | |
| 'clarifier | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
clarify
early 14c., from O.Fr. clarifier, from L. clarificare "to make clear," from L. clarus "famous, clear" (from clarare) + root of facere "to make, do" (see factitious).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
FOLDOC
Computing Dictionary
Clarify definition
companyA software vendor, specialising in Customer Relationship Management software. Nortel Networks sold Clarify to Amdocs in 2002.
(http://amdocsclarify.com/).
(2003-06-20)
Example sentences
If you are not sure, ask him to clarify the question.
Knowing everything about them could clarify their role in sickness and health.
The political will exists to streamline and clarify these regs, and to prevent food companies from finding loopholes.
Diagrams on the wall clarify the shape vagaries of the waistline.
Nearby Words
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