clearly

/ˈklɪəli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈklɪrli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈklir-lē/ (ame, mw)

clearly — adverb

1. so that the details can be seen, heard, or understood well without any guesswork

1.副詞A2
釋義

so that the details can be seen, heard, or understood well without any guesswork

例句

Kofi explained the math problem clearly, and everyone understood it.

adverb after verb: explained clearly

The sign at the station clearly shows the train times for each line.

adverb before verb: clearly shows

同義詞
  • plainly

    emphasizes simplicity and directness; less formal

  • distinctly

    stresses that each part is separate and recognizable

  • legibly

    used only for handwriting or print, not speech

反義詞
  • unclearly

    the direct opposite; less common

  • vaguely

    suggests missing details or blurry boundaries

文法句型

clearly + verb

verb + clearly

clearly + adjective/past participle

用法筆記

This sense can go either before or after the verb. Before the verb (clearly shows) it tends to add emphasis; after the verb (explained clearly) it focuses on the manner.

常見錯誤

❌She spoke cleanly and everyone understood.
✅She spoke clearly and everyone understood.
💡Cleanly means without creating dirt or mess; clearly means in an easy-to-understand way.
❌He talks clear to the class.
✅He talks clearly to the class.
💡As an adverb modifying a verb, clearly needs the -ly ending in standard English.

2. used to state that you are sure something is true, often because the evidence is

2.副詞B1
釋義

used to state that you are sure something is true, often because the evidence is strong; without doubt

例句

Priya was clearly upset about missing the party last night.

clearly + adjective (clearly upset)

This is clearly a situation where the rules need to be changed.

clearly + noun phrase

同義詞
  • obviously

    more direct and often stronger; common in spoken English

  • evidently

    slightly more formal; implies evidence-based certainty

  • undoubtedly

    strongest level of certainty; formal or written

反義詞
  • possibly

    expresses uncertainty rather than certainty

  • unclear

    used as an adjective in phrases like 'it is unclear whether'

文法句型

clearly + clause

clearly + adjective

用法筆記

Commonly used as a sentence adverb at the start of a statement. It signals the speaker's certainty rather than describing the manner of an action — a key difference from sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌She is clearly a doctor' (meaning she works as a doctor visibly).
✅She is clearly a doctor, given her white coat and stethoscope.
💡When using clearly to express certainty, add context that shows the evidence you are relying on.
❌Clearly, you can go now' (when giving permission).
✅You can clearly go now
💡the meeting is over.' — Without context, the intended meaning shifts from certainty to manner.

3. in a way that is logical and focused, with no confusion or tiredness in your min

3.副詞A2
釋義

in a way that is logical and focused, with no confusion or tiredness in your mind

例句

After a good night of sleep, Hana could think clearly again.

cognition verb: think clearly

Theo tried to think clearly despite the loud music in the café.

try to + think clearly

同義詞
  • lucidly

    more formal; often used for explaining ideas

  • coherently

    emphasizes that ideas connect logically

  • rationally

    stresses logic over emotion

反義詞
  • confusedly

    the direct opposite; less common

  • hazily

    suggests vague or unclear thought

文法句型

think clearly

see clearly

reason clearly

用法筆記

Only used with verbs of thinking, reasoning, or mental perception. It does not describe physical sight or hearing — that belongs to sense 1. Compare 'I can't see clearly without my glasses' (sense 1, physical) with 'I can't see clearly what the problem is' (sense 3, mental).

常見錯誤

❌I walked clearly down the street.
✅I walked carefully down the street.
💡Clearly is for clear thinking or clear senses, not for careful movement.