How to pronounce clear
Say it like KLEER. Clear is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- KLEER
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Clear pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KLEERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of clear
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KLEER.
What does clear mean?
- Transparent in colour.“as clear as crystal”
- Bright; luminous; not dark or obscured.“The windshield was clear and clean.”
- Free of obstacles.“The driver had mistakenly thought the intersection was clear.”
- All the way; entirely.“I threw it clear across the river to the other side.”
- Not near something or touching it.“Stand clear of the rails, a train is coming.”
- Free (or separate) from others.
- To remove obstructions, impediments or other unwanted items from.“Police took two hours to clear the road.”
- To remove (items or material) so as to leave something unobstructed or open.“Please clear all this stuff off the table.”
- To leave abruptly; to clear off or clear out.
Where does clear come from?
From Middle English clere, from Anglo-Norman cler, from Old French cler (Modern French clair), from Latin clarus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- pellucid
- transparent
- cloudless
- noncloudy
- unclouded
- uncloudy
- apprehensible
- unclutter
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with clear
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of clear.
Questions about saying clear
How do you pronounce clear?
Say KLEER. The American pronunciation is /klɪr/. In British English it is /klɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in clear?
Clear is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: KLEER.
Is clear pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /klɪə/ (KLEER).