Clarification

/ˌklærifiˈkeɪʃən/

nounIntermediateCommonGeneral

Definitions

1

An explanation that makes something easier to understand.

/ˌklærifiˈkeɪʃən/

nounneutralIntermediate
General

The act of making something clear or understandable.

I need clarification on the instructions.

💡 Simply: Imagine a foggy window. Clarification is like wiping the fog away so you can see clearly. It's an explanation that makes things easier to understand, like when your teacher explains a confusing math problem.

👶 For kids: Making something easier to understand.

More Examples

2

After the clarification, everything was clear.

How It's Used

Academic Writing

"The professor's clarification of the complex theory helped the students understand it better."

Legal

"Further clarification is needed regarding the terms of the contract."

From Middle English *clarificacioun*, from Old French *clarificacion*, from Latin *clarificatio*, from *clarificare* "to make clear, brighten"

Historically, the word emphasized making something visibly clearer, reflecting its Latin root.

Memory tip

Think of 'clarify' – to make clear. '-fication' means the act of doing it.

clarificationnclarifacationclarifcation

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written