clear

Easy to understand because it is expressed simply and directly.

• The instructions are clear.
• She gave us a clear explanation.
• Is the meaning of this sentence clear?

Similar words: understandable, plain

Opposites: unclear, confusing

Common phrases: clear instructions, clear explanation, make something clear

Easy to see or know; leaving no doubt.

• There is a clear winner.
• It was clear that he was tired.
• The broken lock was a clear sign of trouble.

How to use it: it is clear that… (It is clear that we need more time.); make it clear that… (She made it clear that she wanted to stay.)

Similar words: obvious, evident, plain

Opposites: uncertain, doubtful

Common phrases: clear evidence, clear sign, clear that

Understanding something well and having no doubts about it.

• Are you clear about the plan?
• I’m not clear on what happened.
• After her explanation, we were all clear about our roles.

How to use it: be clear about something (Are you clear about what you need to do?); be clear on something (I am still not clear on the rules.)

Similar words: sure, certain

Opposites: confused, uncertain

Common phrases: clear about something, clear on something, quite clear

Allowing you to see through it easily.

• The bottle is made of clear glass.
• We could see fish in the clear water.
• Put the coins in a clear plastic bag.

Similar words: transparent, see-through

Opposites: opaque, cloudy

Common phrases: clear glass, clear water, clear plastic

Expressing your ideas or wishes so that other people understand them easily.

• Please be clear about what you want.
• The manager was clear about our responsibilities.
• She was perfectly clear when she asked us to leave.

How to use it: be clear about something (The teacher was clear about what she expected.)

Similar words: explicit, direct

Opposites: vague

Common phrases: clear about something, very clear, perfectly clear

Able to think and understand things easily, without confusion.

• My head feels clear now.
• A good night’s sleep helps me keep a clear mind.
• Her thinking was remarkably clear during the emergency.

Similar words: alert, lucid

Opposites: confused, clouded

Common phrases: clear head, clear mind, clear thinking

Away from something so that you do not touch it or get hurt.

• Stand clear of the doors.
• The boat stayed clear of the rocks.
• Keep your hands clear while the blade is moving.

How to use it: clear of something (Keep clear of the moving machinery.)

Similar words: away

Common phrases: stand clear, keep clear, clear of something

Completely, or all the way to a place or point.

• He threw the ball clear across the field.
• The nail went clear through the board.
• We could see clear to the other end of the valley.

Similar words: all the way, completely

Common phrases: clear across something, clear through something, clear to something