clarify - Wiktionary, the free dictionary


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From Middle English clarifien, from Old French clarifiier, from Latin clārificō, clārificāre; clārus (“clear”) + faciō, facere (“make”). Semantically clear +‎ -ify.

clarify (third-person singular simple present clarifies, present participle clarifying, simple past and past participle clarified)

  1. (Can we verify(+) this sense?) (ergative, of liquids, such as wine or syrup) 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 clear or easily understood; to explain in order to remove doubt or obscurity.
    Synonyms: explicitize, get straight

    • 1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London:

      To clarify his reason, to rectify his will.

    • 2014, Mario Martinez, The MindBody Code: How to Change the Beliefs that Limit Your Health, Longevity, and Success:

      We assimilate cultural interpretations based on the value our cultural editors determine and the level of abundance we are allowed to have without violating tribal horizons. I should clarify that I am not suggesting that we are passive recipients of everything the cultural editors tell us about ourselves.

  3. (Can we verify(+) this sense?) (ergative) To grow clear or bright; to clear up.
  4. (obsolete) To glorify.

to make clear or bright by freeing from impurities

to make clear

to become clear or transparent

to clear up