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
There was no video to help clarify what happened in Gaddis’ shooting.
—Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2024
The company has yet to clarify its plans for the affordable model.
—Esha Dey, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024
Gold medalist pole vaulter Katie Moon expressed concern for the revealing silhouette but clarified that the design is just one of the uniform options available to women.
—Emma Bowman, NPR, 17 Apr. 2024
The bill also clarifies limits to the powers of local civilian police oversight boards.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Parents React to Emotional Bluey Episode ‘The Sign’: ‘My Therapist Isn’t Gonna Know What Hit Her’
In a recent interview with BBC 4, Bluey producer Sam Moor clarified that Bluey, Bingo and the rest of the Heeler family still have more adventures ahead of them.
—Sabienna Bowman, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024
This story has been corrected to clarify that a guilty plea is not required for deferred prosecution.
—Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2024
During his State of the State last week, Gov. Mike DeWine again asked lawmakers to clarify rules for public marijuana use.
—Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 15 Apr. 2024
Related article Western officials warn munition shortages could be catastrophic for Ukraine as US stalls on providing more aid
No information is currently available on casualties and the extent of the damage is being clarified.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2024
The company has yet to clarify its plans for the affordable model.
—Esha Dey, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024
Gold medalist pole vaulter Katie Moon expressed concern for the revealing silhouette but clarified that the design is just one of the uniform options available to women.
—Emma Bowman, NPR, 17 Apr. 2024
The bill also clarifies limits to the powers of local civilian police oversight boards.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Parents React to Emotional Bluey Episode ‘The Sign’: ‘My Therapist Isn’t Gonna Know What Hit Her’
In a recent interview with BBC 4, Bluey producer Sam Moor clarified that Bluey, Bingo and the rest of the Heeler family still have more adventures ahead of them.
—Sabienna Bowman, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024
This story has been corrected to clarify that a guilty plea is not required for deferred prosecution.
—Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2024
During his State of the State last week, Gov. Mike DeWine again asked lawmakers to clarify rules for public marijuana use.
—Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 15 Apr. 2024
Related article Western officials warn munition shortages could be catastrophic for Ukraine as US stalls on providing more aid
No information is currently available on casualties and the extent of the damage is being clarified.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
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 25 Apr. 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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