clarify
//ˈklæɹ.ɪ.faɪ//
Forms
- present (v1)
- clarify
- past (v2)
- clarified
- past participle (v3)
- clarified
- present participle
- clarifying
- 3rd person singular
- clarifies
Definitions
1.To make or become clear or bright by freeing from impurities or turbidity.
- 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.
- Please clarify what you mean by this.
- To clarify his reason, to rectify his will.
- Over time, the situation gradually clarified.
Frequency
Overall
Rare· #4621
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Rare
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Middle English clarifien, from Old French clarifiier, from Latin clārificō, clārificāre; clārus (“clear”) + faciō, facere (“make”).
Semantically clear + -ify.