clearly
clearly
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling:
/ˈklɪəli/
Syllable Breakdown:
clear-: /ˈklɪə/
/k/: voiceless velar stop
/l/: voiced alveolar lateral approximant
/ɪə/: near-front near-unrounded vowel followed by a schwa (diphthong)
-ly: /li/
/l/: voiced alveolar lateral approximant
/i/: high front unrounded vowel
Word Form Variations
"Clearly" is an adverb. Adverbs typically do not have variations like singular/plural forms or different tenses in the way nouns and verbs do. Its forms are:
Positive: clearly
Comparative: more clearly
Superlative: most clearly
The adjective form is "clear".
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition 1: In a way that is easy to perceive, understand, or distinguish; without ambiguity or confusion.
Synonyms: evidently, obviously, plainly, distinctly, lucidly, unequivocally
Antonyms: unclearly, ambiguously, vaguely, obscurely
Definition 2: Without doubt or question; undoubtedly.
Synonyms: certainly, undeniably, precisely, decidedly, absolutely
Antonyms: doubtfully, questionably, uncertainly, possibly
Examples of Use
Books: "The air was cold and thin, and the stars, though still partially obscured by city light, sparkled more clearly than they had in weeks." (From The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, September 2020)
Newspapers: "Economists clearly stated that the latest jobs report indicates a steady recovery, despite ongoing inflation concerns." (Quoted in The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications: "In a recent analysis, climate scientists clearly demonstrated the link between rising global temperatures and extreme weather events." (From an article on National Geographic Online)
Entertainment Mediums (Film Dialogue): "I can see clearly now the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way." (From the lyrics of "I Can See Clearly Now," often featured in films like Grosse Pointe Blank, 1997)
Entertainment Platforms (Streaming Series Description): "A detective, haunted by his past, must clearly distinguish friend from foe to solve a complex murder case." (Synopsis for a crime drama series on Netflix)
General Public Discourse (Social Media Post): "This new policy will clearly benefit small businesses, fostering growth and innovation in the local economy." (A tweet from a local business advocate)
General Public Discourse (Speech Excerpt): "We must clearly articulate our goals and work together to achieve them, leaving no room for misunderstanding." (From a public address by a community leader)
10 Quotes Using Clearly
"The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane." (Nikola Tesla)
"Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall." (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.)
"How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean." (Arthur C. Clarke)
"Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand." (Thomas Carlyle)
"Why does the eye see a thing more clearly in dreams than the imagination when awake?" (Leonardo da Vinci)
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong." (H. L. Mencken)
"To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." (Buddha)
"Let us be clear: I take ten times more money for a concert than for an opera performance." (Plácido Domingo)
"The great enemy of clear language is insincerity." (George Orwell)
"Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart." (Carl Jung)
Etymology
The word "clearly" is an adverb, and its history traces back to the Middle English period, around the 13th or 14th century.
It's formed by taking the adjective "clear" and adding the common adverbial ending "-ly."
The word "clear" itself comes from the Latin word "clarus," which meant "clear, bright, shining, or famous." Over time, this meaning evolved to include things that are transparent, free from impurities, or easy to understand.
So, when "clearly" first appeared in English, its main meaning was "in a clear manner," especially when talking about things you could see or hear. For example, if you could see something clearly, it meant you could see it without anything blocking your view or making it hard to make out. Similarly, if someone spoke clearly, their words were easy to understand without any mumbling or confusion.
Later, around the 1500s, "clearly" started being used to mean "evidently" or "obviously," indicating that something was beyond doubt. And even more recently, it began to be used as a way to start an argument or statement, like saying "it is clear that..."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Clearly
See clearly now: To understand a situation or problem fully after a period of confusion.
Clearly evident: Very obvious or apparent.
Speak clearly: To articulate words distinctly and understandably.
Think clearly: To reason or process information without confusion.
Stand out clearly: To be distinct or noticeable among others.
Clearly defined: Having precise and unambiguous boundaries or characteristics.
Crystal clear: Extremely clear, understandable, or transparent (using a synonym of "clear").
Plain as day: Very obvious and easy to understand (using a synonym of "clear").
Plain to see: Easily observable or understandable (using a synonym of "clear").
Beyond a shadow of a doubt: Absolutely certain; clearly without question (using a synonym for similar effect).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of clearly from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
