clarify
verb
clar·i·fy
ˈkler-ə-ˌfī 
ˈkla-rə-
clarified; clarifying
1
: to make understandable
clarify a subject
The president was forced to clarify his position on the issue.
2
: to free of confusion
needs time to clarify his thoughts
3
: to make (a liquid or something liquefied) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter
clarify syrup
: to become clear
waiting for the present muddled diplomatic situation to clarify—
Newsweek
Newsweek
Examples of clarify in a Sentence
Can you clarify exactly what it is you're proposing?
Her explanation did not clarify matters much.
The president was forced to clarify his position on the issue.
The committee clarified the manager's duties.
a substance used to clarify wine
Recent Examples on the Web
In light of all those phone calls and their timing, lawmakers were skeptical enough of her denials of knowing about the payments that the chairman at the time, Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., sent a letter July 18, 2019, asking Hicks to clarify her testimony.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024
On Friday, Noem's spokesperson told PEOPLE that the governors did speak in 2020, but met in 2021, and that it would be clarified in final versions of the book.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for clarify 
Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024
On Friday, Noem's spokesperson told PEOPLE that the governors did speak in 2020, but met in 2021, and that it would be clarified in final versions of the book.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for clarify
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clarify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near clarify
Cite this Entry
“Clarify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarify. Accessed 8 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clarify
verb
clar·i·fy
ˈklar-ə-ˌfī
clarified; clarifying
1
: to make or become pure or clear
clarify a liquid
2
: to make or become easier to understand
clarify a statement
Medical Definition
clarify
verb
clar·i·fy
ˈklar-ə-ˌfī
clarified; clarifying
: to make (as a liquid) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter
clarify sewage
: to become clear
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