# clear

> English word · Adjective · IPA /klɪə/ · frequency rank #558

## Definitions
1. Transparent in colour.
2. Bright; luminous; not dark or obscured.
3. Free of obstacles.
4. Without clouds.
5. Of the sky, such that less than one eighth of its area is obscured by clouds.
6. Free of ambiguity or doubt; easily understood.
7. Distinct, sharp, well-marked.
8. Free of guilt, or suspicion.
9. Without a thickening ingredient.
10. Possessing little or no perceptible stimulus.
11. Free from the influence of engrams; see Clear (Scientology).
12. Able to perceive straightforwardly; keen; acute; penetrating; discriminating.
13. Not clouded with passion; serene; cheerful.
14. Easily or distinctly heard; audible.
15. Unmixed; entirely pure.
16. Without defects or blemishes, such as freckles or knots.
17. Without diminution; in full; net.
18. Showing a green aspect, allowing a train to proceed past it.
19. Good, the best.
20. Better than, superior to.

## Etymology
From Middle English clere, from Anglo-Norman cler, from Old French cler (Modern French clair), from Latin clarus. Displaced native Middle English schir (“clear, pure”) (from Old English scīr (“clear, bright”)), Middle English skere (“clear, sheer”) (from Old English scǣre and Old Norse skǣr (“sheer, clear, pure”)), Middle English smolt (“clear (of mind), serene”) (from Old English smolt (“peaceful, serene”)). Cognate with Danish klar, Dutch klaar, French clair, German klar, Italian chiaro, Norwegian klar, Portuguese claro, Romanian clar, Spanish claro, and Swedish klar.

## Easily confused with
- **Cleo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-cleo)
- **czar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-czar)
- **clem** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-clem)
- **cream** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-cream)
- **clerk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-clerk)
- **cloak** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-cloak)
- **Clegg** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-clegg)
- **cleft** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-cleft)
- **cleve** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-cleve)
- **clever** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-clever)
- **collar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-collar)
- **clears** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-clears)
- **cleary** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-cleary)
- **cleats** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-cleats)
- **cleave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-cleave)
- **clearly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-clearly)
- **cleared** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-cleared)
- **clearer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-clearer)
- **cleaver** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clear-vs-cleaver)
- **car** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/car-vs-clear)

## Common misspellings (7)
`cclear`, `celar`, `claer`, `clearr`, `clera`, `cllear`, `lcear`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/clear