French word

éclaircir

Pronunciation

IPA/eklɛʁsiʁ/

Meaning

  • verbclarify

Example

Peux-tu éclaircir ce point ?

Can you clarify this point?

Illustration for éclaircir (clarify)

More examples

Il a fallu plusieurs e-mails pour éclaircir le malentendu.

It took several emails to clear up the misunderstanding.

Core concept

A hazy idea becoming sharply outlined, so its intended meaning can be identified without uncertainty.

Common phrases

  • éclaircir un point

    clarify a point

  • éclaircir la situation

    clarify the situation

  • éclaircir un malentendu

    clear up a misunderstanding

Similar words

expliquer: Give a concrete explanation of circumstances or intentions so they are understood.
clarifier: Make an unclear meaning or situation clear.
préciser: State wording or conditions more exactly to help prevent misunderstanding.
éclairer: Highlight information or facts so the context or meaning becomes easier to grasp.

Definition in French

Expliquer ou préciser un élément afin d'enlever l'ambiguïté et de rendre l'idée plus nette.

Word origin

Éclaircir developed from Old French esclarcir, based on clair and ultimately linked to Latin clarus, with the sense of making something clear.

Usage tips

  • In this meaning, éclaircir takes a direct object, as in éclaircir un point or éclaircir une question.

Other meanings

  • explainverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word