Word Finder

CLEAR

c-l-e-a-r

Adjective/Verb
Beginner Level
5 Letters

Quick Definition

CLEAR means transparent, obvious, or free from obstruction. As a verb, it means to remove, make empty, or pass safely through something.

Scrabble Points

7

Points in Scrabble

Base tile values • No multipliers applied

Definition & Meaning

CLEAR (adjective/verb) - Free from darkness, obstruction, or confusion; transparent or obvious. As a verb, means to remove obstacles, make empty, or pass through successfully.

Primary Meanings:

  • • Adjective: Transparent, easily understood, free from obstruction
  • • Verb: To remove, empty, or pass through safely
  • • Adverb: Completely, entirely ("clear through")
  • • Scientific: Free from cloudiness or contamination

Etymology & Origin

CLEAR derives from the Latin word "clarus," meaning "bright, shining, or famous." It entered Middle English via Old French "cler," maintaining its association with brightness, transparency, and obviousness.

Etymology Timeline:

  • Latin: clarus (bright, shining, famous)
  • Old French: cler (bright, pure)
  • 13th century: Middle English "clere" (bright, transparent)
  • 14th century: Extended to mean "obvious" or "evident"
  • Modern: Verb forms developed (to clear, clearing)

Multiple Meanings & Usage

As Adjective

  • • Transparent: "clear glass," "clear water"
  • • Obvious: "clear instructions," "clear meaning"
  • • Unobstructed: "clear path," "clear view"
  • • Pure: "clear conscience," "clear complexion"

As Verb

  • • Remove: "clear the table," "clear debris"
  • • Pass through: "clear customs," "clear security"
  • • Approve: "clear for takeoff," "cleared by doctor"
  • • Settle: "clear a debt," "clear confusion"

Word Forms & Common Expressions

Word Forms

  • • Clearly (adverb)
  • • Clearer (comparative)
  • • Clearest (superlative)
  • • Clearness (noun)
  • • Clearing (noun/gerund)

Common Phrases

  • • "Crystal clear"
  • • "Clear as day"
  • • "All clear"
  • • "Clear the air"
  • • "Clear out"

Technical Uses

  • • Computer: clear cache
  • • Finance: clear a check
  • • Weather: clear skies
  • • Medical: clear infection

Did You Know?

•CLEAR is one of the most versatile words in English, functioning as adjective, verb, and adverb

•The word "clear" forms over 100 common English phrases and idioms

•In optics, "clear" refers to materials that transmit light without scattering

•CLEAR is worth only 7 points in Scrabble but is extremely useful for connecting words

•The phrase "clear as mud" is a humorous way to describe something confusing

Usage Examples

"The instructions were crystal clear and easy to follow."

Adjective - Obvious/Evident

"Please clear the table before dinner arrives."

Verb - Remove/Empty

"The glass was perfectly clear and colorless."

Adjective - Transparent

"The pilot was cleared for landing at runway 24."

Verb - Authorize/Approve

Similar Words

Words by Point Value

Similar length and difficulty words

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26 pts
QUARTZ
24 pts
WIZARD
19 pts
FROZEN
18 pts
SPHINX
18 pts
GALAXY
17 pts
JUMPER
17 pts
EXOTIC
15 pts

Letter Analysis

Letter Distribution

C (3 pts)
1x
L (1 pts)
1x
E (1 pts)
1x
A (1 pts)
1x
R (1 pts)
1x

Total base points: 7 (Scrabble)

Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 3

Common Mistakes & Tips

Clear vs. Clearly

Use "clear" as adjective ("clear water") or verb ("clear the table"). Use "clearly" as adverb ("clearly visible").

Redundant Phrases

Avoid "very clear" or "completely clear" - "clear" already implies complete transparency or obviousness.

Game Strategy

CLEAR works well for connecting words due to common letters. Can extend to CLEARS, CLEARED, CLEARER, CLEARLY.

Master This Word

Master versatile words like CLEAR that work in multiple contexts and word formations