clearly

[kleer-lee]

adverb

1. in a clear manner.

   It is difficult to explain complex matters clearly.

2. without equivocation; decidedly.

   It is clearly out of the question to drop the case.

clearly

/ ˈklɪəlɪ /

adverb

1. in a clear, distinct, or obvious manner

   I could see everything quite clearly

2. (sentence modifier) it is obvious that; evidently

   clearly the social services must be flexible

Word History and Origins

Origin of clearly¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, Middle English clerli; clear, -ly

Synonym Study

Clearly, definitely, distinctly, evidently imply the way in which something is plainly understood or understandable. Clearly suggests without doubt or obscurity: expressed clearly. Definitely means explicitly; with precision: definitely phrased. Distinctly means without blurring or confusion: distinctly enunciated. Evidently means patently, unquestionably: evidently an error.

Example Sentences

Father Time is clearly catching up with him like everyone else.

From BBC

The party's annual conference is an increasingly professional affair and Reform's sustained lead in the opinion polls has clearly been noted by public affairs professionals.

From BBC

The images clearly show track marks left by Israeli armoured vehicles, many of which pass through sections of the neighbourhood where buildings and trees once stood.

From BBC

I greatly appreciated some individuals there, but clearly it couldn’t be my long-term home.

From Los Angeles Times

"I think it presented so much that was beguiling to contemporaries, but also clearly that Bowie himself found fascinating."

From BBC

Related Words

• apparently 
• certainly 
• definitely 
• distinctly 
• evidently 
• obviously 
• openly www.thesaurus.com
• plainly www.thesaurus.com
• positively 
• precisely 
• seemingly 
• surely 
• undoubtedly 

When To Use

What is a basic definition of clearly?

Clearly means in a clear manner or way, without uncertainty. Clearly also means happening in a way that is obvious or occurring without question.Clearly is an adverb formed from the word clear, which means free from obscurity or free from doubt. If something happens without blurriness or cloudiness, it happens clearly. For example, when you speak clearly, you are not mumbling or stuttering.

• Real-life examples: Many people wear glasses to help them see clearly. Teachers try to explain subjects clearly to students so they don’t get confused or fail to understand the material. Many right-handed people struggle to write clearly with their left hand.



• Used in a sentence: I couldn’t hear clearly because I had water in my ears. 

Clearly is also used to mean obviously, undoubtedly, or evidently. You might use this sense of clearly when you are so confident about something that you believe there is zero doubt about it, as when it is clearly a bad idea to eat a sandwich that has meat that expired a year ago. Clearly is often used in arguments and opinions, though. Just because a person uses the word clearly doesn’t mean there is no room for disagreement or doubt.

• Used in a sentence: I am allergic to peanuts so it clearly wasn’t me who ate the last of the peanut butter.