clarify
/'klærifai/
Definition
Verb: 1. To make a liquid clear or pure by removing unwanted substances: This meaning refers to the physical process of removing impurities or solids, often through heating or filtering. 2. To make a statement, situation, or concept clear, understandable, and free from confusion: This is the most common meaning. It involves explaining something in a simpler or more detailed way to eliminate misunderstanding.
Usage and Examples
- Verb (Physical Process):
- The recipe instructs you to clarify the butter before using it for frying.
- The winemaker used a special filter to clarify the wine.
- Verb (Making Something Understandable):
- Could you clarify your instructions? I'm not sure what to do next.
- The spokesperson issued a statement to clarify the company's position on the issue.
- Her explanation helped to clarify the complex scientific theory for the students.
Advanced Usage
- "To clarify matters": Used to introduce a statement intended to resolve confusion.
- To clarify matters, the meeting is at 3 PM, not 2 PM.
- "For clarification": A phrase used when asking for or providing a clearer explanation.
- I'm writing for clarification regarding the new policy.
- For clarification, this offer is only valid until the end of the month.
Variants and Related Words
- Clarification (noun): The act of making something clear or the state of being made clear.
- We need some clarification on these points before we can proceed.
- Clarifying (adjective): Serving to make something clear.
- She asked a clarifying question.
Synonyms
- Explain: To make plain or understandable.
- Elucidate: To explain or make clear (more formal).
- Illuminate: To shed light on, making something clear (often used figuratively).
- Purify: To remove contaminants (for the physical meaning).
Antonyms
- Confuse: To make unclear or perplex.
- Obfuscate: To deliberately make something obscure or unclear.
- Muddy: To make something unclear or confused.
Common Collocations
- Clarify a point / a statement / a remark
- Clarify the situation / the issue / the matter
- Clarify one's position / one's intentions / one's role
- Clarify butter / broth / juice
Verb
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make clear by removing impurities or solids, as by heating
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clarify the butter
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clarify beer
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make clear and (more) comprehensible
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clarify the mystery surrounding her death
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