clarify — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To make or become clear or bright by freeing from impurities or turbidity.

   Usage

   • ergative
   • of liquids

   Examples

   What's the best way to clarify cooking oil?

   Leave the wine for 24 hours and it will clarify.

2. To make or become clear or easily understood; to explain or resolve in order to remove doubt or obscurity.

   Usage

   • broadly

   Synonyms

   explicitizeget straightbring home

   Examples

   Please clarify what you mean by this.

   Over time, the situation gradually clarified.

   More examples (3)

   To clarify his reason, to rectify his will.

   We assimilate cultural interpretations based on the value our cultural editors determine and the level of abundance we are allowed to have without violating tribal horizons. I should clarify that I am not suggesting that we are passive recipients of everything the cultural editors tell us about ourselves.

   The report does not clarify what investigation the supervisor did, if any, to assess the suspect's allegations, or how he determined that the allegations were false. Supervisors also fail to provide recommendations for how to ensure officer safety and minimize the need for force going forward.

3. To glorify.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

Verb

1. make clear and (more) comprehensible

   Synonyms

   clear upelucidate

   Antonyms

   obfuscate

   Broader terms

   explainexplicate

   Examples

   clarify the mystery surrounding her death

2. make clear by removing impurities or solids, as by heating

   Broader terms

   changealtermodify

   Examples

   clarify the butter

   clarify beer