First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
clarify
verb clar·i·fy \ˈkler-ə-ˌfī, ˈkla-rə-\
: to make (something) easier to understand
: to make (a liquid) purer or easier to see through
clar·i·fiedclar·i·fy·ing
Full Definition of CLARIFY
transitive verb
1
: to make (as a liquid) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter
2
: to free of confusion <needs time to clarify his thoughts>
3
: to make understandable <clarify a subject>
intransitive verb
: to become clear
— clar·i·fi·ca·tion \ˌkler-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən, ˌkla-rə-\ noun
— clar·i·fi·er \ˈkler-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r, ˈkla-rə-\ noun
See clarify defined for English-language learners
See clarify defined for kids
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Origin of CLARIFY
Middle English clarifien, from Anglo-French clarifier, from Late Latin clarificare, from Latin clarus clear — more at clear
CLARIFYING Defined for Kids
clarify
verb clar·i·fy \ˈkler-ə-ˌfī\
clar·i·fiedclar·i·fy·ing
Definition of CLARIFY for Kids
1
: to make or to become pure or clear <clarify a liquid>
2
: to make or become more easily understood <clarify a statement>
Medical Dictionary
clarify
verb clar·i·fy \ˈklar-ə-ˌfī\
clar·i·fiedclar·i·fy·ing
Medical Definition of CLARIFY
transitive verb
: to make (as a liquid) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter <clarify sewage>
intransitive verb
: to become clear
—clar·i·fi·ca·tion \ˌklar-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən\ noun
—clar·i·fi·er \ˈklar-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r\ noun
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