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clear · adjective /klɪr/Full view
Nouns: clearance, clearing, clarity
Adjectives: clear, clear-cut, unclear
Verbs: clear
Adverbs: clear, clearly, unclearly
clear (EASY TO UNDERSTAND)
A2 easy to understand, hear, read or see
Dictionary examples:

clear instructions/directions

Can we make the sound any clearer?

These photos are very clear.

Learner example:

It's clear and easy to use. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Arabic)

clear (TRANSPARENT)
A2 If something is clear, you can see through it.
Dictionary examples:

clear glass

The water in the lake is so clear that you can see the bottom.

Learner example:

I go to there every year, because the water of the lake is very clear and I like swimming in this lake. (Key English Test; A2; Hungarian)

clear (WITHOUT CLOUDS)
B1 A clear sky does not have any clouds.
Dictionary example:

clear blue skies

Learner example:

When we went to San Martin de los Andes, we could see seven lakes and different kinds of trees and the sky [was] always clear. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Korean)

clear (CERTAIN)
B1 certain or obvious
Dictionary examples:

Are you clear about how to get there?

It's clear that she's not interested.

I'm still not clear on what I'm supposed to do.

Learner example:

Are you clear about the questions? (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)

clear (NOT BLOCKED)
C1 not covered or blocked by anything
Dictionary examples:

a clear road

a clear desk

Learner example:

While banning the private cars brings with it less congestion, less air pollution and clear roads, it also carries major concerns [for] people's traveling needs. Should there not be a proper transport infrastructure in place in the city? (International English Language Testing System; C2; Tamil)

crystal clear
C1 extremely clear
Dictionary example:

crystal clear water

Learner example:

You will be amazed by the crystal clear water of the shallow sea and the multitude of colourful fish which you will see as you [ar]e exploring the bottom of the sea. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

crystal clear
C2 very easy to understand
Dictionary example:

She made it crystal clear that she was in charge.

Learner example:

They do learn something of course, but it is crystal clear that they need some help from you to develop their ability, creativity, sensitivity and so on. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)

clear · verb T /klɪr/
Nouns: clearance, clearing, clarity
Adjectives: clear, clear-cut, unclear
Verbs: clear
Adverbs: clear, clearly, unclearly
clear
B2 to remove all the objects or people from a place
Dictionary examples:

It took several hours to clear the road after the accident.

I'll make the coffee if you'll clear the table.

I cleared the snow off the path.

Could you clear your things from the couch?

Learner example:

I cleared the stage before the concert, but you [ca]n't imagine how it looked after it?!!! (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

clear the air
C2 to get rid of bad feelings between two people or groups less
Dictionary examples:

It was an unpleasant argument, but at least it cleared the air.

The meeting Friday will help clear the air and clarify some issues that need to be addressed.

Learner example:

I rushed into the room [to] cheer them up and clear the air, although I knew it was too late. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Turkish)

clear sth away or clear away sth
C1 to make a place neat by removing things from it, or putting them where they should be
Dictionary example:

We need to clear away these tree branches that were knocked down in the storm

Learner example:

After clearing away the worst mess, she opened the left drawer, and there it was! (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

clear up sth or clear sth up
B2 to give an explanation for something, or to deal with a problem or argument
Dictionary example:

Before we sign the contract, there are a few points we should clear up.

Learner example:

I hope this will clear up your problem. (First Certificate in English; B2; Dutch)

clear up
B2 If the weather clears up, it improves and becomes sunny.
Dictionary example:

I hope the weather clears up before this afternoon.

Learner example:

For the first two days the weather was so bad that we couldn't reach the beach but finally the sky cleared up. (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)

clear · noun /klɪr/
in the clear
C2 not in a difficult situation or having problems any more
Dictionary examples:

We had some large debts, but we should be in the clear by next year.

His lawyers say that Wilson is in the clear.

Learner example:

"You're in the clear, you don't have to be afraid any more," it said. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

clear · adverb /klɪr/
Nouns: clearance, clearing, clarity
Adjectives: clear, clear-cut, unclear
Verbs: clear
Adverbs: clear, clearly, unclearly
clear
C2 If you remain clear of something you stay away from or avoid it.
Dictionary examples:

Stand clear of the doors, please.

His parents warned him to keep clear of trouble.

Learner example:

Especially young readers kept clear of the town library with its reputation of being a place for old people. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swiss German)

steer clear of sb/sth
C2 to avoid someone or something because they are unpleasant or dangerous
Dictionary examples:

Steer clear of Tony this morning - he's in a bad mood.

Davis steered clear of politics because of all the problems his father had had as governor.

Learner example:

Eating healthy doesn't mean starving, eating plants or steering clear of meat. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Latvian)

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