Sharp vs. Clear — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 7, 2024
Sharpness refers to distinct edges and fine detail, while clarity denotes overall transparency and purity of image or sound.
Difference Between Sharp and Clear
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sharpness is a quality that describes how well-defined or visually distinct edges and fine details are, particularly in images or sounds. Whereas, clarity refers to the transparency, purity, or lucidity in visuals, sounds, or concepts, emphasizing the ease of perception. Sharp images are often valued in photography for the precise delineation of features, while clear images are appreciated for their lack of noise and distortion.
In photography, sharpness is crucial for capturing intricate details and textures, making elements in the image stand out distinctly. On the other hand, clarity ensures that the overall image is free from haze or any form of blur, contributing to the true-to-life representation of the scene.
Sharp sound quality is characterized by distinct, clean notes that are well-separated in an audio track, which is essential in music production and audio engineering. Conversely, clear sound refers to how transparent and free from background noise the audio is, allowing for better understanding and enjoyment of the music or speech.
In communication, sharpness might refer to the preciseness and conciseness of language, making the conveyed ideas pointed and impactful. However, clarity is about how easy it is to understand the language, free from ambiguity or complexity, making the information accessible to a wider audience.
While sharpness can sometimes lead to harshness if overemphasized, affecting visual or audio quality by becoming too abrasive, clarity focuses on purity and can enhance the overall perceptibility and quality without creating additional harshness.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Precision of detail and edges.
Transparency and purity.
Key Feature
Distinct lines and fine details.
Lack of noise and distortion.
Importance
Essential for detail in images.
Essential for true representation.
Application
Photography, visuals, sound.
Visuals, sound, communication.
Potential Drawback
Can be overly harsh if excessive.
Requires balance to avoid oversimplification.
Compare with Definitions
Sharp
Keenly perceptive.
He has a sharp mind for details.
Clear
Transparent; easily seen through.
The waters of the lake were perfectly clear.
Sharp
Acute or intense.
She delivered a sharp rebuke.
Clear
Free from obscurity or ambiguity.
She gave clear instructions.
Sharp
Crisp in sound.
The violin's sharp notes echoed in the hall.
Clear
Free of any contamination.
The sky is clear of clouds today.
Sharp
Having clearly defined edges.
The new camera takes exceptionally sharp photos.
Clear
Unobstructed.
The road ahead is clear.
Sharp
High resolution.
The monitor displays sharp images.
Clear
Easily understandable.
He has the ability to explain complex ideas in clear terms.
Sharp
Having a thin edge or a fine point suitable for or capable of cutting or piercing.
Clear
Easy to perceive, understand, or interpret
Am I making myself clear?
Her handwriting was clear
Clear and precise directions
Sharp
Having clear form and detail
A sharp photographic image.
Clear
(of a substance) transparent; unclouded
The clear glass of the French windows
A stream of clear water
Sharp
Terminating in an edge or a point
Sharp angular cliffs.
A sharp nose.
Clear
Free of any obstructions or unwanted objects
With a clear road ahead he shifted into high gear
I had a clear view in both directions
Sharp
Clearly and distinctly set forth
Sharp contrasts in behavior.
Clear
Not touching; away from
The lorry was wedged in the ditch, one wheel clear of the ground
Sharp
Abrupt or acute
A sharp drop.
A sharp turn.
Clear
Complete; full
You must give seven clear days' notice of the meeting
Sharp
Intellectually penetrating; astute
Was sharp in his analysis of the problem.
Clear
Denoting a palatalized form of the sound of the letter l (as in leaf in most accents of English).
Sharp
Marked by keenness and accuracy of perception
Sharp hearing.
Clear
So as to be out of the way of or away from
He leapt clear of the car
Stand clear, I'll start the plane up
Sharp
Crafty or deceitful, as in business dealings
Sharp selling practices.
Clear
Completely
He had time to get clear away
Sharp
Vigilant; alert
Kept a sharp lookout for shoplifters.
Clear
Remove an obstruction or unwanted item or items from
Carolyn cleared the table and washed up
The drive had been cleared of snow
Sharp
Briskly or keenly cold and cutting
A sharp wind.
Clear
Remove (an obstruction or unwanted item) from somewhere
Karen cleared the dirty plates
Park staff cleared away dead trees
Sharp
Harsh or biting in tone or character
Sharp criticism.
Clear
Get past or over (something) safely or without touching it
The plane rose high enough to clear the trees
She cleared 1.50 metres in the high jump
Sharp
Fierce or impetuous; violent
A sharp temper.
A sharp assault.
Clear
Officially show or declare (someone) to be innocent
His sport's ruling body had cleared him of cheating
Sharp
Intense; severe
A sharp pain.
Clear
Give official approval or authorization to
I cleared him to return to his squadron
Sharp
Sudden and shrill
A sharp whistle.
Clear
Earn or gain (an amount of money) as a net profit
I would hope to clear £50,000 profit from each match
Sharp
Sudden and brilliant or dazzling
A sharp flash of lightning.
Clear
Free from clouds, mist, or haze
A clear day.
Sharp
Strongly affecting the senses of smell and taste
A sharp pungent odor.
A sharp cheese.
Clear
Not obscured or darkened; bright
Clear daylight.
A clear yellow.
Sharp
Composed of hard angular particles
Sharp sand.
Clear
Easily seen through; transparent
Clear water.
Sharp
Raised in pitch by a semitone.
Clear
Free from flaw, blemish, or impurity
A clear, perfect diamond.
A clear record with the police.
Sharp
Being above the proper pitch.
Clear
Free from impediment, obstruction, or hindrance; open
A clear view.
A clear path to victory.
Sharp
Having the key signature in sharps.
Clear
Plain or evident to the mind; unmistakable
A clear case of cheating.
Sharp
(Informal) Attractive or stylish
A sharp jacket.
Clear
Easily perceptible to the eye or ear; distinct
The clear call of a songbird.
Sharp
In a sharp manner
Hit me sharp on the brow.
Clear
Discerning or perceiving easily; keen
A clear mind.
Sharp
Punctually; exactly
At three o'clock sharp.
Clear
Free from doubt or confusion; certain
His meaning is clear.
Sharp
(Music) Above the true or proper pitch.
Clear
Free from qualification or limitation; absolute
A clear winner.
Sharp
A sign (♯) used to indicate that a note is to be raised by a semitone.
Clear
Free from guilt; untroubled
A clear conscience.
Sharp
A note that is raised a semitone.
Clear
Having been freed from contact, proximity, or connection
At last we were clear of the danger. The ship was clear of the reef.
Sharp
A slender sewing needle with a very fine point.
Clear
Free from charges or deductions; net
A clear profit.
Sharp
A hypodermic needle
A canister for disposing of used sharps.
Clear
Containing nothing
The ship's hold was clear.
Sharp
An expert.
Clear
Distinctly; clearly
Spoke loud and clear.
Sharp
A shrewd cheater; a sharper.
Clear
Out of the way; completely away
Stood clear of the doors.
Sharp
To raise in pitch by a semitone.
Clear
(Informal) All the way; completely
Slept clear through the night.
Read the book clear to the end.
Sharp
To play or sing above the proper pitch.
Clear
To make light, clear, or bright
The wind cleared the sky of clouds.
Sharp
Terminating in a point or edge, especially one that can cut easily; not dull, obtuse, or rounded.
I keep my knives sharp so that they don't slip unexpectedly while carving.
Ernest made the pencil too sharp and accidentally stabbed himself with it.
A face with sharp features
Clear
To rid of impurities, blemishes, muddiness, or foreign matter
The new filter cleared the water.
Sharp
(colloquial) Intelligent.
My nephew is a sharp lad; he can count to 100 in six languages, and he's only five years old.
Clear
To free from confusion, doubt, or ambiguity; make plain or intelligible
Cleared up the question of responsibility.
Sharp
(music) Higher than usual by one semitone (denoted by the symbol ♯ after the name of the note).
Clear
To rid of objects or obstructions
Clear the table.
Clear the road of debris.
Sharp
(music) Higher in pitch than required.
The orchestra's third violin several times was sharp about an eighth of a tone.
Clear
To make (a way or clearing) by removing obstructions
Clear a path through the jungle.
Sharp
Having an intense, acrid flavour.
Milly couldn't stand sharp cheeses when she was pregnant, because they made her nauseated.
Clear
To remove (objects or obstructions)
Clear the dishes.
Clear snow from the road.
Sharp
Sudden and intense.
A pregnant woman during labor normally experiences a number of sharp contractions.
Clear
To remove the occupants of
Clear the theater.
Sharp
(colloquial) Illegal or dishonest.
Michael had a number of sharp ventures that he kept off the books.
Clear
To remove (people)
Clear the children from the room.
Sharp
(colloquial) Keenly or unduly attentive to one's own interests; shrewd.
A sharp dealer;
A sharp customer
Clear
To move or shoot (a ball or puck) away from the goal or out of the defensive zone.
Sharp
Exact, precise, accurate; keen.
You'll need sharp aim to make that shot.
Clear
To clear a ball or puck out of (the defensive zone), as in lacrosse or hockey.
Sharp
Offensive, critical, or acrimonious.
Sharp criticism
When the two rivals met, first there were sharp words, and then a fight broke out.
Clear
To rid (a memory location or buffer, for example) of instructions or data.
Sharp
(colloquial) Stylish or attractive.
You look so sharp in that tuxedo!
Clear
To remove (instructions or data) from memory.
Sharp
Observant; alert; acute.
Keep a sharp watch on the prisoners. I don't want them to escape!
Clear
To free from a legal charge or imputation of guilt; acquit
Cleared the suspect of the murder charge.
Sharp
Forming a small angle; especially, forming an angle of less than ninety degrees.
Drive down Main for three quarters of a mile, then make a sharp right turn onto Pine.
Clear
To pass by, under, or over without contact
The boat cleared the dock.
Sharp
Steep; precipitous; abrupt.
A sharp ascent or descent; a sharp turn or curve
Clear
To settle (a debt).
Sharp
Said of as extreme a value as possible.
Sure, any planar graph can be five-colored. But that result is not sharp: in fact, any planar graph can be four-colored. That is sharp: the same can't be said for any lower number.
Clear
To gain (a given amount) as net profit or earnings.
Sharp
(chess) Tactical; risky.
Clear
To pass (a bill of exchange, such as a check) through a clearing-house.
Sharp
Piercing; keen; severe; painful.
A sharp pain; the sharp and frosty winter air
Clear
To secure the approval of
The bill cleared the Senate.
Sharp
Eager or keen in pursuit; impatient for gratification.
A sharp appetite
Clear
To authorize or approve
Cleared the material for publication.
Sharp
(obsolete) Fierce; ardent; fiery; violent; impetuous.
Clear
To free (a ship or cargo) from legal detention at a harbor by fulfilling customs and harbor requirements.
Sharp
Composed of hard, angular grains; gritty.
Clear
To give clearance or authorization to
Cleared the plane to land.
Sharp
Uttered in a whisper, or with the breath alone; aspirated; unvoiced.
Clear
To free (the throat) of phlegm by making a rasping sound.
Sharp
(obsolete) Hungry.
Clear
To become clear
The sky cleared.
Sharp
To a point or edge; piercingly; eagerly; sharply.
Clear
To go away; disappear
The fog cleared.
Sharp
(notcomp) Exactly.
I'll see you at twelve o'clock sharp.
Clear
To exchange checks and bills or settle accounts through a clearing-house.
Sharp
(music) In a higher pitch than is correct or desirable.
I didn't enjoy the concert much because the tenor kept going sharp on the high notes.
Clear
To pass through the banking system and be debited and credited to the relevant accounts
The check cleared.
Sharp
(music) The symbol ♯, placed after the name of a note in the key signature or before a note on the staff to indicate that the note is to be played a semitone higher.
The pitch pipe sounded out a perfect F♯ (F sharp).
Transposition frequently is harder to read because of all the sharps and flats on the staff.
Clear
To comply with customs and harbor requirements in discharging a cargo or in leaving or entering a port.
Sharp
(music) A note that is played a semitone higher than usual; denoted by the name of the note that is followed by the symbol ♯.
Clear
A clear or open space.
Sharp
(music) A note that is sharp in a particular key.
The piece was difficult to read after it had been transposed, since in the new key many notes were sharps.
Clear
Transparent in colour.
As clear as crystal
Sharp
(music) The scale having a particular sharp note as its tonic.
Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" is written in C♯ minor (C sharp minor.)
Clear
Bright; luminous; not dark or obscured.
The windshield was clear and clean.
Congress passed the President’s Clear Skies legislation.
Sharp
Something that is sharp.
Place sharps in the specially marked red container for safe disposal.
Clear
Free of obstacles.
The driver had mistakenly thought the intersection was clear.
The coast is clear.
Sharp
(medicine) A hypodermic syringe.
Clear
Without clouds.
Clear weather; a clear day
Sharp
A scalpel or other edged instrument used in surgery.
Clear
(meteorology) Of the sky, such that less than one eighth of its area is obscured by clouds.
Sharp
A sharp tool or weapon.
Clear
Free of ambiguity or doubt.
He gave clear instructions not to bother him at work.
Do I make myself clear? Crystal clear.
I'm still not quite clear on what some of these words mean.
Sharp
A dishonest person; a cheater.
The casino kept in the break room a set of pictures of known sharps for the bouncers to see.
This usage is often classified as variant spelling of shark, and unrelated to the 'pointed' or 'cutting' meanings of sharp.
Clear
Distinct, sharp, well-marked.
Sharp
Part of a stream where the water runs very rapidly.
Clear
(figuratively) Free of guilt, or suspicion.
A clear conscience
Sharp
A sewing needle with a very slender point, more pointed than a blunt or a between.
Clear
(of a soup) Without a thickening ingredient.
Sharp
(in the plural) Fine particles of husk mixed with coarse particle of flour of cereals; middlings.
Clear
Possessing little or no perceptible stimulus.
Clear of texture; clear of odor
Sharp
An expert.
Clear
(Scientology) Free from the influence of engrams; see Clear (Scientology).
Sharp
A sharpie member of Australian gangs of the 1960s and 1970s.
Clear
Able to perceive clearly; keen; acute; penetrating; discriminating.
A clear intellect; a clear head
Sharp
(music) To raise the pitch of a note half a step making a natural note a sharp.
That new musician must be tone deaf: he sharped half the notes of the song!
Clear
Not clouded with passion; serene; cheerful.
Sharp
To play tricks in bargaining; to act the sharper.
Clear
Easily or distinctly heard; audible.
Sharp
To sharpen.
Clear
Unmixed; entirely pure.
Clear sand
Sharp
Having a very thin edge or fine point; of a nature to cut or pierce easily; not blunt or dull; keen.
He dies upon my scimeter's sharp point.
Clear
Without defects or blemishes, such as freckles or knots.
A clear complexion; clear lumber
Sharp
Terminating in a point or edge; not obtuse or rounded; somewhat pointed or edged; peaked or ridged; as, a sharp hill; sharp features.
Clear
Without diminution; in full; net.
A clear profit
Sharp
Affecting the sense as if pointed or cutting, keen, penetrating, acute: to the taste or smell, pungent, acid, sour, as ammonia has a sharp taste and odor; to the hearing, piercing, shrill, as a sharp sound or voice; to the eye, instantaneously brilliant, dazzling, as a sharp flash.
Clear
Showing a green aspect, allowing a train to proceed past it.
Sharp
High in pitch; acute; as, a sharp note or tone.
Clear
All the way; entirely.
I threw it clear across the river to the other side.
Sharp
Very trying to the feelings; piercing; keen; severe; painful; distressing; as, sharp pain, weather; a sharp and frosty air.
Sharp misery had worn him to the bones.
The morning sharp and clear.
In sharpest perils faithful proved.
Clear
Not near something or touching it.
Stand clear of the rails, a train is coming.
Sharp
Cutting in language or import; biting; sarcastic; cruel; harsh; rigorous; severe; as, a sharp rebuke.
To that place the sharp Athenian lawCan not pursue us.
Be thy words severe,Sharp as merits but the sword forbear.
Clear
Free (or separate) from others.
Sharp
Of keen perception; quick to discern or distinguish; having nice discrimination; acute; penetrating; sagacious; clever; as, a sharp eye; sharp sight, hearing, or judgment.
Nothing makes men sharper . . . than want.
Many other things belong to the material world, wherein the sharpest philosophers have never ye arrived at clear and distinct ideas.
Clear
In a clear manner; plainly.
Sharp
Eager in pursuit; keen in quest; impatient for gratification; keen; as, a sharp appetite.
Clear
(transitive) To remove obstructions, impediments or other unwanted items from.
Police took two hours to clear the road.
If you clear the table, I'll wash up.
Sharp
Fierce; ardent; fiery; violent; impetuous.
A sharp assault already is begun.
Clear
(transitive) To remove (items or material) so as to leave something unobstructed or open.
Please clear all this stuff off the table.
The loggers came and cleared the trees.
Sharp
Keenly or unduly attentive to one's own interest; close and exact in dealing; shrewd; as, a sharp dealer; a sharp customer.
The necessity of being so sharp and exacting.
Clear
(intransitive) To leave abruptly; to clear off or clear out.
Sharp
Composed of hard, angular grains; gritty; as, sharp sand.
Clear
(intransitive) To become free from obstruction or obscurement; to become transparent.
When the road cleared we continued our journey.
After a heavy rain, the sky cleared nicely for the evening.
Shake the test tube well, and the liquid should slowly clear.
Sharp
Steep; precipitous; abrupt; as, a sharp ascent or descent; a sharp turn or curve.
Clear
(transitive) To eliminate ambiguity or doubt from (a matter); to clarify or resolve; to clear up.
We need to clear this issue once and for all.
Sharp
Uttered in a whisper, or with the breath alone, without voice, as certain consonants, such as p, k, t, f; surd; nonvocal; aspirated.
Clear
(transitive) To remove from suspicion, especially of having committed a crime.
The court cleared the man of murder.
Sharp
To a point or edge; piercingly; eagerly; sharply.
The head [of a spear] full sharp yground.
You bite so sharp at reasons.
Clear
(transitive) To pass without interference; to miss.
The door just barely clears the table as it closes.
The leaping horse easily cleared the hurdles.
Sharp
Precisely; exactly; as, we shall start at ten o'clock sharp.
Clear
To exceed a stated mark.
She was the first female high jumper to clear two metres.
Sharp
A sharp tool or weapon.
If butchers had but the manners to go to sharps, gentlemen would be contented with a rubber at cuffs.
Clear
To finish or complete (a stage, challenge, or game).
I cleared the first level in 36 seconds.
Sharp
The character [$] used to indicate that the note before which it is placed is to be raised a half step, or semitone, in pitch.
Clear
(intransitive) Of a check or financial transaction, to go through as payment; to be processed so that the money is transferred.
The check might not clear for a couple of days.
Sharp
A portion of a stream where the water runs very rapidly.
Clear
To earn a profit of; to net.
He's been clearing seven thousand a week.
Sharp
A sewing needle having a very slender point; a needle of the most pointed of the three grades, blunts, betweens, and sharps.
Clear
(transitive) To approve or authorise for a particular purpose or action; to give clearance to.
Air traffic control cleared the plane to land.
The marketing department has cleared the press release for publication.
Sharp
Same as Middlings, 1.
Clear
(transitive) To obtain approval or authorisation in respect of.
I've cleared the press release with the marketing department, so go ahead and publish it.
Sharp
An expert.
Clear
(intransitive) To obtain a clearance.
The steamer cleared for Liverpool today.
Sharp
To sharpen.
Clear
(transitive) To obtain permission to use (a sample of copyrighted audio) in another track.
Sharp
To raise above the proper pitch; to elevate the tone of; especially, to raise a half step, or semitone, above the natural tone.
Clear
To disengage oneself from incumbrances, distress, or entanglements; to become free.
Sharp
To play tricks in bargaining; to act the sharper.
Clear
To hit, kick, head, punch etc. (a ball, puck) away in order to defend one's goal.
The goalkeeper rushed forward to clear the ball.
A low cross came in, and Smith cleared.
Sharp
To sing above the proper pitch.
Clear
To reset or unset; to return to an empty state or to zero.
To clear an array;
To clear a single bit (binary digit) in a value
Sharp
A musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named
Clear
To style (an element within a document) so that it is not permitted to float at a given position.
Sharp
A long thin sewing needle with a sharp point
Clear
(carpentry) Full extent; distance between extreme limits; especially; the distance between the nearest surfaces of two bodies, or the space between walls.
A room ten feet square in the clear
Sharp
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined;
A sharp photographic image
The sharp crack of a twig
The crisp snap of dry leaves underfoot
Clear
(video games) The completion of a stage or challenge, or of the whole game.
It took me weeks to achieve a one-credit clear (1CC).
Sharp
Ending in a sharp point
Clear
(Scientology) A person who is free from the influence of engrams.
Sharp
Having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions;
An acute observer of politics and politicians
Incisive comments
Icy knifelike reasoning
As sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang
Penetrating insight
Frequent penetrative observations
Clear
Free from opaqueness; transparent; bright; light; luminous; unclouded.
The stream is so transparent, pure, and clear.
Fair as the moon, clear as the sun.
Sharp
Marked by practical hardheaded intelligence;
A smart businessman
An astute tenant always reads the small print in a lease
He was too shrewd to go along with them on a road that could lead only to their overthrow
Clear
Free from ambiguity or indistinctness; lucid; perspicuous; plain; evident; manifest; indubitable.
One truth is clear; whatever is, is right.
Sharp
Harsh;
Sharp criticism
A sharp-worded exchange
A tart remark
Clear
Able to perceive clearly; keen; acute; penetrating; discriminating; as, a clear intellect; a clear head.
Mother of science! now I feel thy powerWithin me clear, not only to discernThings in their causes, but to trace the waysOf highest agents.
Sharp
High-pitched and sharp;
Piercing screams
A shrill whistle
Clear
Not clouded with passion; serene; cheerful.
With a countenance as clearAs friendship wears at feasts.
Sharp
Extremely steep;
An abrupt canyon
The precipitous rapids of the upper river
The precipitous hills of Chinese paintings
A sharp drop
Clear
Easily or distinctly heard; audible; canorous.
Hark! the numbers soft and clearGently steal upon the ear.
Sharp
Keenly and painfully felt; as if caused by a sharp edge or point;
A sharp pain
Sharp winds
Clear
Without mixture; entirely pure; as, clear sand.
Sharp
Very penetrating and clear and sharp in operation;
An incisive mind
A keen intelligence
Of sharp and active intellect
Clear
Without defect or blemish, such as freckles or knots; as, a clear complexion; clear lumber.
Sharp
Having or made by a thin edge or sharp point; suitable for cutting or piercing;
A sharp knife
A pencil with a sharp point
Clear
Free from guilt or stain; unblemished.
Statesman, yet friend to truth! in soul sincere,In action faithful, and in honor clear.
Sharp
Sour or bitter in taste
Clear
Without diminution; in full; net; as, clear profit.
I often wished that I had clear,For life, six hundred pounds a-year.
Sharp
Raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone;
C sharp
B natural
Clear
Free from impediment or obstruction; unobstructed; as, a clear view; to keep clear of debt.
My companion . . . left the way clear for him.
Sharp
Very sudden and in great amount or degree;
A sharp drop in the stock market
Clear
Free from embarrassment; detention, etc.
The cruel corporal whispered in my ear,Five pounds, if rightly tipped, would set me clear.
Sharp
Quick and forceful;
A sharp blow
Clear
Full extent; distance between extreme limits; especially; the distance between the nearest surfaces of two bodies, or the space between walls; as, a room ten feet square in the clear.
Sharp
Changing suddenly in direction and degree;
The road twists sharply after the light
Turn sharp left here
Clear
In a clear manner; plainly.
Now clear I understandWhat oft . . . thoughts have searched in vain.
Clear
Without limitation; wholly; quite; entirely; as, to cut a piece clear off.
Clear
To render bright, transparent, or undimmed; to free from clouds.
He sweeps the skies and clears the cloudy north.
Clear
To free from impurities; to clarify; to cleanse.
Clear
To free from obscurity or ambiguity; to relive of perplexity; to make perspicuous.
Many knotty points there areWhich all discuss, but few can clear.
Clear
To render more quick or acute, as the understanding; to make perspicacious.
Our common prints would clear up their understandings.
Clear
To free from impediment or incumbrance, from defilement, or from anything injurious, useless, or offensive; as, to clear land of trees or brushwood, or from stones; to clear the sight or the voice; to clear one's self from debt; - often used with of, off, away, or out.
Clear your mind of cant.
A statue lies hid in a block of marble; and the art of the statuary only clears away the superfluous matter.
Clear
To free from the imputation of guilt; to justify, vindicate, or acquit; - often used with from before the thing imputed.
I . . . am sure he will clear me from partiality.
How! wouldst thou clear rebellion?
Clear
To leap or pass by, or over, without touching or failure; as, to clear a hedge; to clear a reef.
Clear
To gain without deduction; to net.
The profit which she cleared on the cargo.
Clear
To become free from clouds or fog; to become fair; - of the weather; - often followed by up, off, or away.
So foul a sky clears not without a storm.
Advise him to stay till the weather clears up.
Clear
To become free from turbidity; - of solutions or suspensions of liquids; as, the salt has not completely dissolved until the suspension clears up; when refrigerated, the juice may become cloudy, but when warmed to room temperature, it clears up again.
Clear
To disengage one's self from incumbrances, distress, or entanglements; to become free.
He that clears at once will relapse; for finding himself out of straits, he will revert to his customs; but he that cleareth by degrees induceth a habit of frugality.
Clear
To make exchanges of checks and bills, and settle balances, as is done in a clearing house.
Clear
To obtain a clearance; as, the steamer cleared for Liverpool to-day.
Clear
The state of being free of suspicion;
Investigation showed that he was in the clear
Clear
A clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water;
Finally broke out of the forest into the open
Clear
Rid of obstructions;
Clear your desk
Clear
Make a way or path by removing objects;
Clear a path through the dense forest
Clear
Become clear;
The sky cleared after the storm
Clear
Grant authorization or clearance for;
Clear the manuscript for publication
The rock star never authorized this slanderous biography
Clear
Remove;
Clear the leaves from the lawn
Clear snow from the road
Clear
Go unchallenged; be approved;
The bill cleared the House
Clear
Be debited and credited to the proper bank accounts;
The check will clear within 2 business days
Clear
Go away or disappear;
The fog cleared in the afternoon
Clear
Pass by, over, or under without making contact;
The balloon cleared the tree tops
Clear
Make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear;
Could you clarify these remarks?
Clear up the question of who is at fault
Clear
Free from payment of customs duties, as of a shipment;
Clear the ship and let it dock
Clear
Clear from impurities, blemishes, pollution, etc.;
Clear the water before it can be drunk
Clear
Yield as a net profit;
This sale netted me $1 million
Clear
Make as a net profit;
The company cleared $1 million
Clear
Earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages;
How much do you make a month in your new job?
She earns a lot in her new job
This merger brought in lots of money
He clears $5,000 each month
Clear
Sell;
We cleared a lot of the old model cars
Clear
Pass an inspection or receive authorization;
Clear customs
Clear
Pronounce not guilty of criminal charges;
The suspect was cleared of the murder charges
Clear
Settle, as of a debt;
Clear a debt
Solve an old debt
Clear
Make clear, bright, light, or translucent;
The water had to be cleared through filtering
Clear
Rid of instructions or data;
Clear a memory buffer
Clear
Remove (people) from a building;
Clear the patrons from the theater after the bomb threat
Clear
Remove the occupants of;
Clear the building
Clear
Free (the throat) by making a rasping sound;
Clear the throat
Clear
Clear to the mind;
A clear and present danger
A clear explanation
A clear case of murder
A clear indication that she was angry
Gave us a clear idea of human nature
Clear
Free from confusion or doubt;
A complex problem requiring a clear head
Not clear about what is expected of us
Clear
Affording free passage or view;
A clear view
A clear path to victory
Clear
Free from cloudiness; allowing light to pass through;
Clear water
Clear plastic bags
Clear glass
The air is clear and clean
Clear
Free from contact or proximity or connection;
We were clear of the danger
The ship was clear of the reef
Clear
Characterized by freedom from troubling thoughts (especially guilt);
A clear conscience
Regarded her questioner with clear untroubled eyes
Clear
(of sound or color) free from anything that dulls or dims;
Efforts to obtain a clean bass in orchestral recordings
Clear laughter like a waterfall
Clear reds and blues
A light lilting voice like a silver bell
Clear
(especially of a title) free from any encumberance or limitation that presents a question of fact or law;
I have clear title to this property
Clear
Clear and distinct to the senses; easily perceptible;
As clear as a whistle
Clear footprints in the snow
The letter brought back a clear image of his grandfather
A spire clean-cut against the sky
A clear-cut pattern
Clear
Accurately stated or described;
A set of well-defined values
Clear
Free from clouds or mist or haze;
On a clear day
Clear
Free of restrictions or qualifications;
A clean bill of health
A clear winner
Clear
Free from flaw or blemish or impurity;
A clear perfect diamond
Clear
Clear of charges or deductions;
A clear profit
Clear
Easily deciphered
Clear
Freed from any question of guilt;
Is absolved from all blame
Was now clear of the charge of cowardice
His official honor is vindicated
Clear
Characterized by ease and quickness in perceiving;
Clear mind
A percipient author
Clear
Of complexion; without such blemishes as e.g. acne;
The clear complexion of a healthy young woman
Clear
Completely;
Read the book clear to the end
Slept clear through the night
There were open fields clear to the horizon
Clear
In an easily perceptible manner;
Could be seen clearly under the microscope
She cried loud and clear
Common Curiosities
How does clarity affect communication?
Clarity makes communication effective by ensuring that messages are easily understood and free from ambiguity.
How do sharpness and clarity contribute to image quality?
Sharpness enhances detail and texture, while clarity ensures the image is free from blur and distortion.
What are some tools to enhance sharpness in photos?
Tools like sharpening filters in photo editing software can enhance the sharpness by increasing edge contrast.
Can an image be sharp but not clear?
Yes, an image can have sharp details but lack clarity due to issues like haze or noise.
How do sharpness and clarity interact in a professional presentation?
In a professional presentation, sharpness could refer to the precision of content delivery, and clarity to the ease of understanding the content.
What is the importance of sharpness in audio?
In audio, sharpness helps in distinguishing and appreciating the fine details and distinct tones in music.
How can one improve clarity in writing?
Clarity in writing can be improved by using simple, direct language and organizing thoughts logically.
What roles do sharpness and clarity play in visual arts?
In visual arts, sharpness can bring focus to fine details, while clarity can enhance the overall perception of the artwork.
Is it possible for sound to be too sharp?
Yes, overly sharp sounds can be perceived as harsh or grating, which might be unpleasant to listeners.
Why is clarity important in legal documents?
Clarity in legal documents prevents misunderstandings and ensures that all parties understand the terms clearly.
What distinguishes clarity from simplicity?
Clarity involves making information accessible and understandable, while simplicity often involves reducing complexity, which could potentially oversimplify information.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited 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.
