Meaning & use
cleared
Last updated
“cleared” is a form of “clear”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivenot comparable
Officially allowed or approved to proceed, enter, use something, or do a particular activity.
Grammar: Often follows be or get; use cleared for before a noun in phrases like cleared funds.
Patterns
- cleared for something
- cleared to do something
- cleared by someone
The plane was cleared for takeoff after a short delay.
Only cleared visitors may enter the laboratory.
adjectivenot comparablelegal
Found not responsible for a crime, mistake, or other accusation after an inquiry or trial.
Grammar: Common pattern is cleared of; do not say cleared from a charge.
Patterns
- cleared of charges
- cleared by police
- be officially cleared
The court cleared him of all charges.
She was cleared by investigators and returned to work.
adjectivenot comparable
Free from things that block movement, view, or use, such as snow, fallen trees, traffic, or debris.
Grammar: Can be before a noun or after be; it describes a state, not a gradual degree.
Patterns
- cleared road
- cleared of snow
- cleared for traffic
Crews worked through the night until the road was cleared of snow.
A cleared path led from the gate to the door.
Common combinations
- cleared for takeoff
- We were cleared for takeoff twenty minutes late.
- cleared of charges
- The defendant was cleared of charges at the final hearing.
- cleared by security
- Each visitor must be cleared by security before entering.
- cleared funds
- The bank released only cleared funds into the account.
Synonyms and how they differ
- approved
- Approved fits general permission; cleared often suggests an official check or safety decision.
- exonerated
- Exonerated is stronger and formal for being proved innocent, especially after blame.
- unobstructed
- Unobstructed describes only physical openness; cleared can also mean legally permitted or innocent.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: cleared or clear?
cleared vs clear
Clear is the base adjective or verb; cleared is its past form or the participial adjective used for official decisions, innocence, or removal.
Practice
Choose the natural pattern: After the investigation, she was ___ any wrongdoing.
Choose one answer.
The fixed adjective pattern is cleared of a charge or blame. Cleared with can mean approved by a person, but it does not fit wrongdoing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cleared”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.