Clarify vs. Clarity — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 14, 2023
"Clarify" is a verb meaning to make clear or comprehensible, while "Clarity" is a noun referring to the quality of being clear or easy to understand.
Difference Between Clarify and Clarity
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Clarify is an action-oriented word, prompting one to make things clearer or more transparent. When we ask someone to Clarify a statement, we're asking for a more detailed or simplified explanation. Clarity, on the other hand, is the outcome or state of being clear.
In communication, the objective is often to Clarify information for the audience, ensuring they understand the message with ease. Clarity signifies the achieved goal when the message is presented without ambiguity or confusion.
It's common in meetings for someone to request that a speaker Clarify a point they've made. This request is a plea for better understanding. When the speaker provides the desired Clarity, listeners can comprehend the information without further questions.
Recipes sometimes ask chefs to Clarify butter, which means removing milk solids to produce clear, pure butterfat. In this context, the process of clarifying achieves Clarity in the substance, making it transparent.
Clarify and Clarity, while related, serve distinct roles in language. To Clarify is to act, to remove doubts. Clarity, however, is a descriptor, indicating a state where things are transparent and comprehensible.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Noun
Function
To make clear
The state of being clear
Usage
Describes an action
Describes a quality or condition
Context
Often used in requests for explanation
Often used to describe transparency or purity
End Result
A clearer understanding or state
The achieved state of clearness
Compare with Definitions
Clarify
To make clear or easier to understand.
Please Clarify your statement for the audience.
Clarity
Freedom from ambiguity or obscurity.
He sought Clarity in the dense legal document.
Clarify
To remove impurities or solid particles from a liquid.
She learned how to Clarify the broth for her soup.
Clarity
The state of being coherent and intelligible.
The Clarity of his thesis impressed the professors.
Clarify
To specify or make less vague.
The guidelines were updated to Clarify expectations.
Clarity
The quality of transparency or purity.
The Clarity of the diamond made it highly valuable.
Clarify
To eliminate confusion or ambiguity.
The contract was revised to Clarify the terms.
Clarity
The quality of being easily understood or clear.
The Clarity of her explanation was commendable.
Clarify
To shed light on or elucidate.
The teacher used examples to Clarify the concept.
Clarity
Distinctness in sound or expression.
The Clarity of the audio recording was top-notch.
Clarify
Make (a statement or situation) less confused and more comprehensible
The report managed to clarify the government's position
Clarity
The quality of being coherent and intelligible
For the sake of clarity, each of these strategies is dealt with separately
Clarify
Melt (butter) in order to separate out the impurities
Seal the pots with a layer of clarified butter
Clarity
The quality of transparency or purity
The crystal clarity of water
Clarify
To make clear or easier to understand; elucidate
Clarified her intentions.
Clarity
Clearness of appearance
The clarity of the mountain air.
Clarify
To clear of confusion or uncertainty
Clarify the mind.
Clarity
Clearness of thought or style; lucidity
Writes with clarity and perception.
Clarify
To make clear by removing impurities or solid matter, as by heating gently or filtering
Clarify butter.
Clarity
The state or measure of being clear, either in appearance, thought or style; lucidity.
She dreamed with great clarity.
The brilliant clarity of his argument could not be faulted.
Clarify
To become clear.
Clarity
The ability to be easily understood.
Lack of clarity on the part of the teacher will cause confusion among the students.
Clarify
(of liquids, such as wine or syrup) To make clear or bright by freeing from feculent matter.
Clarity
Clearness; brightness; splendor.
Floods, in whose more than crystal clarity,Innumerable virgin graces row.
Clarify
To make clear or easily understood; to explain in order to remove doubt or obscurity.
Clarity
Free from obscurity and easy to understand; the comprehensibility of clear expression
Clarify
(ergative) To grow or become clear or transparent; to become free from feculent impurities, as wine or other liquid under clarification.
Leave the wine for 24 hours and it will clarify.
Clarity
The quality of clear water;
When she awoke the clarity was back in her eyes
Clarify
(ergative) To grow clear or bright; to clear up.
Clarify
(obsolete) To glorify.
Clarify
To make clear or bright by freeing from feculent matter; to defecate; to fine; - said of liquids, as wine or sirup.
Clarify
To make clear; to free from obscurities; to brighten or illuminate.
To clarify his reason, and to rectify his will.
Clarify
To glorify.
Fadir, clarifie thi name.
Clarify
To grow or become clear or transparent; to become free from feculent impurities, as wine or other liquid under clarification.
Clarify
To grow clear or bright; to clear up.
Whosoever hath his mind fraught with many thoughts, his wits and understanding do clarify and break up in the discoursing with another.
Clarify
Make clear and (more) comprehensible;
Clarify the mystery surrounding her death
Clarify
Make clear by removing impurities or solids, as by heating;
Clarify the butter
Clarify beer
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to Clarify something?
To Clarify means to make something clear or easier to understand.
Is Clarity always about language?
No, Clarity can also refer to visual sharpness or purity of a substance.
What can impact the Clarity of a message?
Ambiguous wording, jargon, and lack of context can reduce Clarity.
Why is it important to Clarify statements?
Clarifying ensures accurate understanding and avoids misinterpretations.
How is "Clarify" different from "Explain"?
To Clarify is to make clear or resolve doubts, while to explain is to describe in detail.
Why might someone ask you to Clarify your point?
They might want a deeper understanding or find the initial information ambiguous.
How does Clarity affect decision-making?
With greater Clarity, decisions can be made more confidently and accurately.
How would you describe Clarity in communication?
Clarity in communication means conveying messages clearly, without ambiguity.
How can one ensure Clarity in writing?
By being concise, avoiding jargon, and using simple language.
How does one achieve Clarity in thought?
Reflecting, questioning, and organizing thoughts can enhance Clarity.
Is there a connection between Clarity and simplicity?
Yes, simplifying often leads to greater Clarity by removing unnecessary complexities.
Can you Clarify ideas using visuals?
Absolutely, visuals like charts and diagrams can Clarify complex concepts.
In what contexts is Clarity crucial?
Clarity is vital in communication, teaching, decision-making, and many professional fields.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
