clarify

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˈklæɹ.ɪ.faɪ/, /ˈklæɹ.ə.faɪ/

  • Audio (Southern England):

    (file)

• (US, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈklɛɹ.ɪ.faɪ/, /ˈklɛɹ.ə.faɪ/
• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˈklæɹ.ɪ.fɑɪ/, /ˈklæɹ.ə.fɑɪ/

Verb

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

1. (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. (by extension) To make or become clear or easily understood; to explain or resolve in order to remove doubt or obscurity.

   Synonyms: explicitize, get straight

   Please clarify what you mean by this.

   Over time, the situation gradually clarified.

   • 1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (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.

   • 2015, United States Department of Justice, Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department:

     The report does not clarify what investigation the supervisor did, if any, to assess the suspect's allegations, or how he determined that the allegations were false. Supervisors also fail to provide recommendations for how to ensure officer safety and minimize the need for force going forward.

3. (obsolete) To glorify.