Clear vs. Clean — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 14, 2024
Clear and clean are both adjectives that describe different aspects of purity and transparency, but in distinct contexts.
Difference Between Clear and Clean
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Clear often refers to the transparency or purity of an object, making it easy to see through or understand, while clean implies freedom from dirt, marks, or impurities. Clear water allows light to pass through without obstruction, whereas clean water is free from pollutants and safe for consumption.
Clarity is a quality that pertains to the absence of visual or conceptual obscurity, allowing for easy perception or understanding. On the other hand, cleanliness is associated with hygiene and tidiness, often achieved through the act of cleaning. For instance, a clear sky means it is free from clouds or fog, making visibility high, while a clean kitchen signifies that it has been sanitized and organized, with no dirt or mess.
In terms of usage, "clear" is frequently used in contexts related to transparency, visibility, and comprehension. For example, a clear explanation is one that is easy to understand, devoid of confusion. Conversely, "clean" is commonly applied in scenarios involving sanitation, orderliness, and purity, as in a clean room, which indicates that it has been thoroughly cleaned and is free from clutter and dirt.
Moreover, the implications of "clear" can extend to emotional or mental states, suggesting freedom from doubt or guilt, as in having a clear conscience. In contrast, "clean" can denote moral or ethical purity, as in a clean record, indicating an absence of wrongdoing or criminal history.
The distinction between clear and clean also manifests in idiomatic expressions. "Clear the air" means to remove misunderstanding or tension, emphasizing clarity in communication or relationships, whereas "clean slate" suggests starting anew, with past mistakes or issues erased, highlighting a fresh beginning without blemishes.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Transparency, free from obstruction
Free from dirt, marks, or impurities
Contexts
Visibility, comprehension, purity
Hygiene, tidiness, sanitation
Example Usage
Clear explanation, clear skies
Clean room, clean water
Related to
Transparency, perception, understanding
Sanitation, orderliness, purity
Idiomatic Expressions
Clear the air (remove misunderstanding)
Clean slate (starting anew)
Compare with Definitions
Clear
Transparent
The clear glass allowed us to see the garden.
Clean
Free from dirt
She keeps her house very clean.
Clear
Understandable
Her instructions were clear and easy to follow.
Clean
Pure
The clean air in the mountains is refreshing.
Clear
Unobstructed
He found a clear path through the woods.
Clean
Neat
He likes his desk clean and organized.
Clear
Free from doubt
He was clear about his decision to move.
Clean
Innocent
She has a clean record with no prior offenses.
Clear
Free from charges
The suspect was cleared of all accusations.
Clean
Thorough
The team did a clean sweep of the awards.
Clear
Easy to perceive, understand, or interpret
Am I making myself clear?
Her handwriting was clear
Clear and precise directions
Clean
Free from dirt, marks, or stains
Keep the wound clean
The room was spotlessly clean
Clear
(of a substance) transparent; unclouded
The clear glass of the French windows
A stream of clear water
Clean
Morally uncontaminated; pure; innocent
Clean living
Clear
Free of any obstructions or unwanted objects
With a clear road ahead he shifted into high gear
I had a clear view in both directions
Clean
Free from irregularities; having a smooth edge or surface
A clean fracture of the leg
Clear
Not touching; away from
The lorry was wedged in the ditch, one wheel clear of the ground
Clean
(of a taste, sound, or smell) giving a clear and distinctive impression to the senses; sharp and fresh
Clean, fresh, natural flavours
Clear
Complete; full
You must give seven clear days' notice of the meeting
Clean
So as to be free from dirt, marks, or unwanted matter
The room had been washed clean
Clear
Denoting a palatalized form of the sound of the letter l (as in leaf in most accents of English).
Clean
Used to emphasize the completeness of a reported action, condition, or experience
He was knocked clean off his feet
I clean forgot her birthday
Clear
So as to be out of the way of or away from
He leapt clear of the car
Stand clear, I'll start the plane up
Clean
Make clean; remove dirt, marks, or stains from
Clean your teeth properly after meals
I cleaned up my room
Clear
Completely
He had time to get clear away
Clean
An act of cleaning something
He gave the room a clean
Clear
Remove an obstruction or unwanted item or items from
Carolyn cleared the table and washed up
The drive had been cleared of snow
Clean
Free from dirt, stain, or impurities; unsoiled
A clean kitchen floor.
Clean clothes.
Clear
Remove (an obstruction or unwanted item) from somewhere
Karen cleared the dirty plates
Park staff cleared away dead trees
Clean
Free from foreign matter or pollution; unadulterated
Clean air.
Clean drinking water.
Clear
Get past or over (something) safely or without touching it
The plane rose high enough to clear the trees
She cleared 1.50 metres in the high jump
Clean
Not infected
A clean wound.
Clear
Officially show or declare (someone) to be innocent
His sport's ruling body had cleared him of cheating
Clean
Producing relatively little pollution
A clean fuel.
A cleaner, more efficient engine.
Clear
Give official approval or authorization to
I cleared him to return to his squadron
Clean
Producing relatively little radioactive fallout or contamination
A clean nuclear bomb.
Clear
Earn or gain (an amount of money) as a net profit
I would hope to clear £50,000 profit from each match
Clean
Having no imperfections or blemishes; regular or even
A clean edge.
A smooth, clean joint.
Clear
Free from clouds, mist, or haze
A clear day.
Clean
Not ornate or intricate; spare
"the clean lines and exquisite proportions of early modernism" (Judith Thurman).
Clear
Not obscured or darkened; bright
Clear daylight.
A clear yellow.
Clean
Sharply defined; clear-cut
A clean outline against the sky.
Clear
Easily seen through; transparent
Clear water.
Clean
Free from clumsiness; deft; adroit
A clean throw.
Clear
Free from flaw, blemish, or impurity
A clear, perfect diamond.
A clear record with the police.
Clean
Devoid of restrictions or encumbrances
A clean bill of health.
Clear
Free from impediment, obstruction, or hindrance; open
A clear view.
A clear path to victory.
Clean
Thorough; complete
A clean getaway.
Clear
Plain or evident to the mind; unmistakable
A clear case of cheating.
Clean
Having few alterations or corrections; legible
Clean manuscript.
Clear
Easily perceptible to the eye or ear; distinct
The clear call of a songbird.
Clean
Blank
A clean page.
Clear
Discerning or perceiving easily; keen
A clear mind.
Clean
Morally pure; virtuous
Led a clean life.
Clear
Free from doubt or confusion; certain
His meaning is clear.
Clean
Having no marks of discredit or offense
A clean voting record.
Clear
Free from qualification or limitation; absolute
A clear winner.
Clean
Fit for all readers, listeners, or audiences; not ribald or obscene
A clean joke.
Clear
Free from guilt; untroubled
A clear conscience.
Clean
Honest or fair
A clean fighter.
A clean competition.
Clear
Having been freed from contact, proximity, or connection
At last we were clear of the danger. The ship was clear of the reef.
Clean
Not carrying concealed weapons or drugs.
Clear
Free from charges or deductions; net
A clear profit.
Clean
Innocent of a suspected crime.
Clear
Containing nothing
The ship's hold was clear.
Clean
Free from narcotics addiction.
Clear
Distinctly; clearly
Spoke loud and clear.
Clean
Showing no evidence of using banned or performance-enhancing substances
Proven to be clean before the race.
Clear
Out of the way; completely away
Stood clear of the doors.
Clean
So as to be unsoiled
Wash the dishes clean.
Clear
(Informal) All the way; completely
Slept clear through the night.
Read the book clear to the end.
Clean
In a fair manner
Played the game clean.
Clear
To make light, clear, or bright
The wind cleared the sky of clouds.
Clean
In a clean or nonpolluting manner
A fuel that burns clean.
Clear
To rid of impurities, blemishes, muddiness, or foreign matter
The new filter cleared the water.
Clean
(Informal) Entirely; wholly
Clean forgot the appointment.
Clear
To free from confusion, doubt, or ambiguity; make plain or intelligible
Cleared up the question of responsibility.
Clean
To rid of dirt, rubbish, or impurities
Clean a room.
Clean a suit.
Clear
To rid of objects or obstructions
Clear the table.
Clear the road of debris.
Clean
To get rid of (impurities or dirt, for example); remove
Cleaned up the trash.
Cleaned off the stains.
Clear
To make (a way or clearing) by removing obstructions
Clear a path through the jungle.
Clean
To prepare (fowl or other food) for cooking, as by removing the entrails or fat.
Clear
To remove (objects or obstructions)
Clear the dishes.
Clear snow from the road.
Clean
To remove the contents from; empty
Cleaned my plate.
Clear
To remove the occupants of
Clear the theater.
Clean
(Sports) To lift (a barbell) from the floor to the shoulders in one motion.
Clear
To remove (people)
Clear the children from the room.
Clean
To undergo or perform an act of cleaning.
Clear
To move or shoot (a ball or puck) away from the goal or out of the defensive zone.
Clean
Free of dirt or impurities or protruberances.
Clear
To clear a ball or puck out of (the defensive zone), as in lacrosse or hockey.
Clean
Not dirty.
Are these dishes clean?
Your room is finally clean!
Clear
To rid (a memory location or buffer, for example) of instructions or data.
Clean
In an unmarked condition.
Put a clean sheet of paper into the printer.
Clear
To remove (instructions or data) from memory.
Clean
(aerodynamics) Allowing an uninterrupted flow over surfaces, without protrusions such as racks or landing gear.
Clear
To free from a legal charge or imputation of guilt; acquit
Cleared the suspect of the murder charge.
Clean
(aviation) Having the undercarriage and flaps in the up position.
Clear
To pass by, under, or over without contact
The boat cleared the dock.
Clean
Empty.
The cargo hold is clean.
Mister, I want to see a clean dinner plate or there'll be no dessert for you.
Clear
To settle (a debt).
Clean
(of metal) Having relatively few impurities.
Clean steel
Clear
To gain (a given amount) as net profit or earnings.
Clean
Free of immorality or criminality.
Clear
To pass (a bill of exchange, such as a check) through a clearing-house.
Clean
Pure, especially morally or religiously.
Our kids can watch this movie because it is clean.
Clear
To secure the approval of
The bill cleared the Senate.
Clean
Not having used drugs or alcohol.
I've been clean this time for eight months.
Clear
To authorize or approve
Cleared the material for publication.
Clean
(of criminal, driving, etc. records) Without restrictions or penalties, or someone having such a record.
Unlike you, I’ve never caused any accidents — my record is still clean!
Clear
To free (a ship or cargo) from legal detention at a harbor by fulfilling customs and harbor requirements.
Clean
(informal) Not in possession of weapons or contraband such as drugs.
I'm clean, officer. You can go ahead and search me if you want.
Clear
To give clearance or authorization to
Cleared the plane to land.
Clean
(informal) Devoid of profanity.
Clear
To free (the throat) of phlegm by making a rasping sound.
Clean
Smooth, exact, and performed well.
I'll need a sharper knife to make clean cuts.
A clean leap over a fence
Clear
To become clear
The sky cleared.
Clean
(obsolete) Total; utter. still in "clean sweep"
Clear
To go away; disappear
The fog cleared.
Clean
(informal) Cool or neat.
Wow, Dude, those are some clean shoes ya got there!
Clear
To exchange checks and bills or settle accounts through a clearing-house.
Clean
That does not damage the environment.
Clean energy;
Clean coal
Clear
To pass through the banking system and be debited and credited to the relevant accounts
The check cleared.
Clean
Free from that which is useless or injurious; without defects.
Clean land;
Clean timber
Clear
To comply with customs and harbor requirements in discharging a cargo or in leaving or entering a port.
Clean
Free from restraint or neglect; complete; entire.
Clear
A clear or open space.
Clean
Well-proportioned; shapely.
Clean limbs
Clear
Transparent in colour.
As clear as crystal
Clean
Ascended without falling.
Clear
Bright; luminous; not dark or obscured.
The windshield was clear and clean.
Congress passed the President’s Clear Skies legislation.
Clean
Removal of dirt.
This place needs a clean.
Clear
Free of obstacles.
The driver had mistakenly thought the intersection was clear.
The coast is clear.
Clean
(weightlifting) The first part of the event clean and jerk in which the weight is brought from the ground to the shoulders.
Clear
Without clouds.
Clear weather; a clear day
Clean
(transitive) To remove dirt from a place or object.
Can you clean the windows today?
Clear
(meteorology) Of the sky, such that less than one eighth of its area is obscured by clouds.
Clean
(transitive) To tidy up, make a place neat.
Clean your room right now!
Clear
Free of ambiguity or doubt.
He gave clear instructions not to bother him at work.
Do I make myself clear? Crystal clear.
I'm still not quite clear on what some of these words mean.
Clean
To remove equipment from a climbing route after it was previously lead climbed.
Clear
Distinct, sharp, well-marked.
Clean
(intransitive) To make things clean in general.
She just likes to clean. That’s why I married her.
Clear
(figuratively) Free of guilt, or suspicion.
A clear conscience
Clean
To remove unnecessary files, etc. from (a directory, etc.).
Clear
(of a soup) Without a thickening ingredient.
Clean
To brush the ice lightly in front of a moving rock to remove any debris and ensure a correct line; less vigorous than a sweep.
Clear
Possessing little or no perceptible stimulus.
Clear of texture; clear of odor
Clean
To purge a raw of any blemishes caused by the scanning process such as brown tinting and poor color contrast.
Clear
(Scientology) Free from the influence of engrams; see Clear (Scientology).
Clean
(video games) clean up
Clear
Able to perceive clearly; keen; acute; penetrating; discriminating.
A clear intellect; a clear head
Clean
To remove guts and/or scales of a butchered animal.
Clear
Not clouded with passion; serene; cheerful.
Clean
Fully and completely.
He was stabbed clean through.
You must be clean mad.
Clear
Easily or distinctly heard; audible.
Clean
Free from dirt or filth; as, clean clothes.
Clear
Unmixed; entirely pure.
Clear sand
Clean
Free from that which is useless or injurious; without defects; as, clean land; clean timber.
Clear
Without defects or blemishes, such as freckles or knots.
A clear complexion; clear lumber
Clean
Free from awkwardness; not bungling; adroit; dexterous; as, a clean trick; a clean leap over a fence.
Clear
Without diminution; in full; net.
A clear profit
Clean
Free from errors and vulgarisms; as, a clean style.
Clear
Showing a green aspect, allowing a train to proceed past it.
Clean
Free from restraint or neglect; complete; entire.
When ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of corners of thy field.
Clear
All the way; entirely.
I threw it clear across the river to the other side.
Clean
Free from moral defilement; sinless; pure.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
That I am whole, and clean, and meet for Heaven
Clear
Not near something or touching it.
Stand clear of the rails, a train is coming.
Clean
Free from ceremonial defilement.
Clear
Free (or separate) from others.
Clean
Free from that which is corrupting to the morals; pure in tone; healthy.
Clear
In a clear manner; plainly.
Clean
Well-proportioned; shapely; as, clean limbs.
Clear
(transitive) To remove obstructions, impediments or other unwanted items from.
Police took two hours to clear the road.
If you clear the table, I'll wash up.
Clean
Without limitation or remainder; quite; perfectly; wholly; entirely.
All the people were passed clean over Jordan.
Clear
(transitive) To remove (items or material) so as to leave something unobstructed or open.
Please clear all this stuff off the table.
The loggers came and cleared the trees.
Clean
Without miscarriage; not bunglingly; dexterously.
Clear
(intransitive) To leave abruptly; to clear off or clear out.
Clean
To render clean; to free from whatever is foul, offensive, or extraneous; to purify; to cleanse.
Clear
(intransitive) To become free from obstruction or obscurement; to become transparent.
When the road cleared we continued our journey.
After a heavy rain, the sky cleared nicely for the evening.
Shake the test tube well, and the liquid should slowly clear.
Clean
A weightlift in which the barbell is lifted to shoulder height and then jerked overhead
Clear
(transitive) To eliminate ambiguity or doubt from (a matter); to clarify or resolve; to clear up.
We need to clear this issue once and for all.
Clean
Make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from;
Clean the stove!
The dentist cleaned my teeth
Clear
(transitive) To remove from suspicion, especially of having committed a crime.
The court cleared the man of murder.
Clean
Remove unwanted substances from, such as feathers or pits;
Clean the turkey
Clear
(transitive) To pass without interference; to miss.
The door just barely clears the table as it closes.
The leaping horse easily cleared the hurdles.
Clean
Clean and tidy up the house;
She housecleans every week
Clear
To exceed a stated mark.
She was the first female high jumper to clear two metres.
Clean
Clean one's body or parts thereof, as by washing;
Clean up before you see your grandparents
Clean your fingernails before dinner
Clear
To finish or complete (a stage, challenge, or game).
I cleared the first level in 36 seconds.
Clean
Be cleanable;
This stove cleans easily
Clear
(intransitive) Of a check or financial transaction, to go through as payment; to be processed so that the money is transferred.
The check might not clear for a couple of days.
Clean
Deprive wholly of money in a gambling game, robbery, etc.;
The other players cleaned him completely
Clear
To earn a profit of; to net.
He's been clearing seven thousand a week.
Clean
Remove all contents or possession from, or empty completely;
The boys cleaned the sandwich platters
The trees were cleaned of apples by the storm
Clear
(transitive) To approve or authorise for a particular purpose or action; to give clearance to.
Air traffic control cleared the plane to land.
The marketing department has cleared the press release for publication.
Clean
Remove while making clean;
Clean the spots off the rug
Clear
(transitive) To obtain approval or authorisation in respect of.
I've cleared the press release with the marketing department, so go ahead and publish it.
Clean
Remove unwanted substances from
Clear
(intransitive) To obtain a clearance.
The steamer cleared for Liverpool today.
Clean
Remove shells or husks from;
Clean grain before milling it
Clear
(transitive) To obtain permission to use (a sample of copyrighted audio) in another track.
Clean
Free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits;
Children with clean shining faces
Clean white shirts
Clean dishes
A spotlessly clean house
Cats are clean animals
Clear
To disengage oneself from incumbrances, distress, or entanglements; to become free.
Clean
Free of restrictions or qualifications;
A clean bill of health
A clear winner
Clear
To hit, kick, head, punch etc. (a ball, puck) away in order to defend one's goal.
The goalkeeper rushed forward to clear the ball.
A low cross came in, and Smith cleared.
Clean
(of sound or color) free from anything that dulls or dims;
Efforts to obtain a clean bass in orchestral recordings
Clear laughter like a waterfall
Clear reds and blues
A light lilting voice like a silver bell
Clear
To reset or unset; to return to an empty state or to zero.
To clear an array;
To clear a single bit (binary digit) in a value
Clean
Free from impurities;
Clean water
Fresh air
Clear
To style (an element within a document) so that it is not permitted to float at a given position.
Clean
Without difficulties or problems;
A clean test flight
Clear
(carpentry) Full extent; distance between extreme limits; especially; the distance between the nearest surfaces of two bodies, or the space between walls.
A room ten feet square in the clear
Clean
Ritually clean or pure
Clear
(video games) The completion of a stage or challenge, or of the whole game.
It took me weeks to achieve a one-credit clear (1CC).
Clean
Not spreading pollution or contamination; especially radioactive contamination;
A clean fuel
Cleaner and more efficient engines
The tactical bomb is reasonably clean
Clear
(Scientology) A person who is free from the influence of engrams.
Clean
(of behavior or especially language) free from objectionable elements; fit for all observers;
Good clean fun
A clean joke
Clear
Free from opaqueness; transparent; bright; light; luminous; unclouded.
The stream is so transparent, pure, and clear.
Fair as the moon, clear as the sun.
Clean
Free from sepsis or infection;
A clean (or uninfected) wound
Clear
Free from ambiguity or indistinctness; lucid; perspicuous; plain; evident; manifest; indubitable.
One truth is clear; whatever is, is right.
Clean
Morally pure;
Led a clean life
Clear
Able to perceive clearly; keen; acute; penetrating; discriminating; as, a clear intellect; a clear head.
Mother of science! now I feel thy powerWithin me clear, not only to discernThings in their causes, but to trace the waysOf highest agents.
Clean
(of a manuscript) having few alterations or corrections;
Fair copy
A clean manuscript
Clear
Not clouded with passion; serene; cheerful.
With a countenance as clearAs friendship wears at feasts.
Clean
Of a surface; not written or printed on;
Blank pages
Fill in the blank spaces
A clean page
Wide white margins
Clear
Easily or distinctly heard; audible; canorous.
Hark! the numbers soft and clearGently steal upon the ear.
Clean
Marked by or calling for sportsmanship or fair play;
A clean fight
A sporting solution of the disagreement
Sportsmanlike conduct
Clear
Without mixture; entirely pure; as, clear sand.
Clean
Thorough and without qualification;
A clean getaway
A clean sweep
A clean break
Clear
Without defect or blemish, such as freckles or knots; as, a clear complexion; clear lumber.
Clean
(of a record) having no marks of discredit or offense;
A clean voting recor
A clean driver's license
Clear
Free from guilt or stain; unblemished.
Statesman, yet friend to truth! in soul sincere,In action faithful, and in honor clear.
Clean
Not carrying concealed weapons
Clear
Without diminution; in full; net; as, clear profit.
I often wished that I had clear,For life, six hundred pounds a-year.
Clean
Free from clumsiness; precisely or deftly executed;
He landed a clean left on his opponent's cheek
A clean throw
The neat exactness of the surgeon's knife
Clear
Free from impediment or obstruction; unobstructed; as, a clear view; to keep clear of debt.
My companion . . . left the way clear for him.
Clean
Free of drugs;
After a long dependency on heroin she has been clean for 4 years
Clear
Free from embarrassment; detention, etc.
The cruel corporal whispered in my ear,Five pounds, if rightly tipped, would set me clear.
Clean
Completely; used as intensifiers;
Clean forgot the appointment
I'm plumb (or plum) tuckered out
Clear
Full extent; distance between extreme limits; especially; the distance between the nearest surfaces of two bodies, or the space between walls; as, a room ten feet square in the clear.
Clean
In conformity with the rules or laws and without fraud or cheating;
They played fairly
Clear
In a clear manner; plainly.
Now clear I understandWhat oft . . . thoughts have searched in vain.
Clear
Without limitation; wholly; quite; entirely; as, to cut a piece clear off.
Clear
To render bright, transparent, or undimmed; to free from clouds.
He sweeps the skies and clears the cloudy north.
Clear
To free from impurities; to clarify; to cleanse.
Clear
To free from obscurity or ambiguity; to relive of perplexity; to make perspicuous.
Many knotty points there areWhich all discuss, but few can clear.
Clear
To render more quick or acute, as the understanding; to make perspicacious.
Our common prints would clear up their understandings.
Clear
To free from impediment or incumbrance, from defilement, or from anything injurious, useless, or offensive; as, to clear land of trees or brushwood, or from stones; to clear the sight or the voice; to clear one's self from debt; - often used with of, off, away, or out.
Clear your mind of cant.
A statue lies hid in a block of marble; and the art of the statuary only clears away the superfluous matter.
Clear
To free from the imputation of guilt; to justify, vindicate, or acquit; - often used with from before the thing imputed.
I . . . am sure he will clear me from partiality.
How! wouldst thou clear rebellion?
Clear
To leap or pass by, or over, without touching or failure; as, to clear a hedge; to clear a reef.
Clear
To gain without deduction; to net.
The profit which she cleared on the cargo.
Clear
To become free from clouds or fog; to become fair; - of the weather; - often followed by up, off, or away.
So foul a sky clears not without a storm.
Advise him to stay till the weather clears up.
Clear
To become free from turbidity; - of solutions or suspensions of liquids; as, the salt has not completely dissolved until the suspension clears up; when refrigerated, the juice may become cloudy, but when warmed to room temperature, it clears up again.
Clear
To disengage one's self from incumbrances, distress, or entanglements; to become free.
He that clears at once will relapse; for finding himself out of straits, he will revert to his customs; but he that cleareth by degrees induceth a habit of frugality.
Clear
To make exchanges of checks and bills, and settle balances, as is done in a clearing house.
Clear
To obtain a clearance; as, the steamer cleared for Liverpool to-day.
Clear
The state of being free of suspicion;
Investigation showed that he was in the clear
Clear
A clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water;
Finally broke out of the forest into the open
Clear
Rid of obstructions;
Clear your desk
Clear
Make a way or path by removing objects;
Clear a path through the dense forest
Clear
Become clear;
The sky cleared after the storm
Clear
Grant authorization or clearance for;
Clear the manuscript for publication
The rock star never authorized this slanderous biography
Clear
Remove;
Clear the leaves from the lawn
Clear snow from the road
Clear
Go unchallenged; be approved;
The bill cleared the House
Clear
Be debited and credited to the proper bank accounts;
The check will clear within 2 business days
Clear
Go away or disappear;
The fog cleared in the afternoon
Clear
Pass by, over, or under without making contact;
The balloon cleared the tree tops
Clear
Make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear;
Could you clarify these remarks?
Clear up the question of who is at fault
Clear
Free from payment of customs duties, as of a shipment;
Clear the ship and let it dock
Clear
Clear from impurities, blemishes, pollution, etc.;
Clear the water before it can be drunk
Clear
Yield as a net profit;
This sale netted me $1 million
Clear
Make as a net profit;
The company cleared $1 million
Clear
Earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages;
How much do you make a month in your new job?
She earns a lot in her new job
This merger brought in lots of money
He clears $5,000 each month
Clear
Sell;
We cleared a lot of the old model cars
Clear
Pass an inspection or receive authorization;
Clear customs
Clear
Pronounce not guilty of criminal charges;
The suspect was cleared of the murder charges
Clear
Settle, as of a debt;
Clear a debt
Solve an old debt
Clear
Make clear, bright, light, or translucent;
The water had to be cleared through filtering
Clear
Rid of instructions or data;
Clear a memory buffer
Clear
Remove (people) from a building;
Clear the patrons from the theater after the bomb threat
Clear
Remove the occupants of;
Clear the building
Clear
Free (the throat) by making a rasping sound;
Clear the throat
Clear
Clear to the mind;
A clear and present danger
A clear explanation
A clear case of murder
A clear indication that she was angry
Gave us a clear idea of human nature
Clear
Free from confusion or doubt;
A complex problem requiring a clear head
Not clear about what is expected of us
Clear
Affording free passage or view;
A clear view
A clear path to victory
Clear
Free from cloudiness; allowing light to pass through;
Clear water
Clear plastic bags
Clear glass
The air is clear and clean
Clear
Free from contact or proximity or connection;
We were clear of the danger
The ship was clear of the reef
Clear
Characterized by freedom from troubling thoughts (especially guilt);
A clear conscience
Regarded her questioner with clear untroubled eyes
Clear
(of sound or color) free from anything that dulls or dims;
Efforts to obtain a clean bass in orchestral recordings
Clear laughter like a waterfall
Clear reds and blues
A light lilting voice like a silver bell
Clear
(especially of a title) free from any encumberance or limitation that presents a question of fact or law;
I have clear title to this property
Clear
Clear and distinct to the senses; easily perceptible;
As clear as a whistle
Clear footprints in the snow
The letter brought back a clear image of his grandfather
A spire clean-cut against the sky
A clear-cut pattern
Clear
Accurately stated or described;
A set of well-defined values
Clear
Free from clouds or mist or haze;
On a clear day
Clear
Free of restrictions or qualifications;
A clean bill of health
A clear winner
Clear
Free from flaw or blemish or impurity;
A clear perfect diamond
Clear
Clear of charges or deductions;
A clear profit
Clear
Easily deciphered
Clear
Freed from any question of guilt;
Is absolved from all blame
Was now clear of the charge of cowardice
His official honor is vindicated
Clear
Characterized by ease and quickness in perceiving;
Clear mind
A percipient author
Clear
Of complexion; without such blemishes as e.g. acne;
The clear complexion of a healthy young woman
Clear
Completely;
Read the book clear to the end
Slept clear through the night
There were open fields clear to the horizon
Common Curiosities
How is "clean" used in the context of morality?
"Clean" can denote moral or ethical purity, such as having a clean record, free from wrongdoing.
What does "clear" primarily indicate?
Clear primarily indicates transparency or the absence of obstructions, making something easy to see through or understand.
Can "clear" relate to mental or emotional states?
Yes, "clear" can relate to mental or emotional states, suggesting freedom from doubt or guilt.
How do "clear" and "clean" differ in their usage in idiomatic expressions?
"Clear the air" focuses on removing misunderstanding (clarity in communication), while "clean slate" suggests a fresh start without past blemishes.
Is "clean" associated with environmental contexts?
Yes, "clean" can be associated with environmental contexts, like clean air or water, implying purity and freedom from pollution.
Can "clear" be used in legal contexts?
Yes, "clear" can be used in legal contexts, such as being cleared of charges, indicating absolution from accusations.
What is the main implication of "clean"?
Clean mainly implies the absence of dirt, impurities, or disorder, often related to hygiene and tidiness.
Is "clear" used in relation to visibility and comprehension?
Yes, "clear" is often used in contexts related to visibility and comprehension, like a clear explanation.
Does "clean" have implications beyond physical cleanliness?
Yes, "clean" can also imply purity, orderliness, and in some cases, moral integrity.
How do "clear" and "clean" compare in terms of mental clarity and organization?
"Clear" often relates to mental clarity or the absence of confusion, while "clean" can refer to organization and tidiness in physical spaces.
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Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
