clear - definition and synonyms


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present tense
present participleclearing
past tensecleared
past participlecleared
  1. 1
    [transitive] to remove people or things from a place where they are not wanted
    clear something from something:

    Julia began to clear the dishes from the table.

    clear something of something:

    The ground should first be cleared of weeds.

    clear a space for someone/something:

    He cleared a space on his desk for a cup of coffee.

    1. a.
      [intransitive] if a place clears, the people in it leave it
  2. 2
    [transitive] to remove something that is blocking a place such as a road or passage

    The police cleared a way through to the front of the building.

    1. a.
  3. 3
    [transitive] [usually passive] to prove officially that someone did not do something wrong
    be cleared of something:

    The two men were cleared of murder yesterday.

  4. 4
    [intransitive] if the sky or the weather clears, the weather becomes brighter and there are no more clouds, rain etc
  5. 5
    [intransitive] if something such as smoke clears, it starts to disappear

    They waited while the mist cleared a little.

  6. 6
    [intransitive] if a liquid clears, it becomes transparent after being filled with extremely small pieces of a substance
  7. 7
    [intransitive] if your skin clears, it starts to become smooth and healthy again
  8. 8
    [intransitive] if someone’s face clears, they stop looking annoyed, upset, or confused

    She frowned for a moment, then her brow cleared.

  9. 9
    [intransitive/transitive] if your mind or head clears, or if it is cleared, it stops being confused, tired, or affected by something such as alcohol
    clear something of something:

    Clear your mind of all negative thoughts.

  10. 10
    [transitive] to go over, under, or past an object without touching it

    One horse failed to clear the gate and was injured.

    clear something by 2 metres/ 6 inches etc:

    The aircraft cleared the houses by only a few metres.

  11. 11
    [intransitive/transitive] if a cheque clears, or if a bank clears it, the bank allows the money to be used

    How long will the cheque take to clear?

  12. 12
    [transitive] to give or obtain official permission for something to happen
    clear something with someone:

    You’ll have to clear this project with head office.

    1. a.
      to give a plane, ship, or person permission to enter or leave a place
      clear something for something:

      After half an hour the plane was cleared for take-off.

    2. b.
      to obtain permission to enter a country or take something into a country after being checked by officials
      clear immigration/customs/passport control:

      Delays are often reported by passengers waiting to clear customs.

      clear something through customs:

      Someone from the embassy helped us to clear our baggage through customs.

  13. 13
    [transitive] to pay back all of the money that you owe to the person you borrowed it from
    clear a debt:

    Try to clear your existing debts first.

  14. 14
    [transitive] informal to earn a particular amount of money after paying taxes, charges, or costs

    He clears about £500 a week.

  15. 15
    [transitive] to deal successfully with a problem
    clear an obstacle:

    The company has cleared the main obstacle to concluding the sale.

    clear a hurdle:

    The first hurdle to clear is persuading investors of the merits of the product.

  16. 16
    [transitive] to do all the work that you have to do
    clear a backlog:

    Extra staff have had to be brought in to clear the backlog.

  17. 17
    [intransitive/transitive] if you clear a ball, or if it clears in a game such as football, you succeed in kicking or hitting it away from your goal
See also