clare: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (as a common word); High (as a proper name/place name)Formal/Neutral when used as a proper noun. Not used in informal contexts as a common word.
Quick answer
What does “clare” mean?
A proper noun, most commonly a female given name or a place name.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun, most commonly a female given name or a place name.
As a proper noun, it can refer to a person, a county in Ireland, a town in Suffolk, England, or a type of wine (Claret). It is not used as a common noun in standard English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a place name, 'County Clare' in Ireland is well-known in both varieties. The town 'Clare' in Suffolk is more familiar in UK English. The wine term 'Claret' (from 'clairet') is more common in UK English for red Bordeaux wine.
Connotations
In both varieties, as a given name, it connotes clarity and brightness (from Latin 'clarus'). As a place, it carries geographical/historical connotations.
Frequency
Frequency is similar for the name. The wine term 'Claret' is significantly more frequent in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “clare” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] + [Verb] (e.g., Clare arrived.)[Preposition] + Clare (e.g., from Clare, to Clare)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in company or personal names (e.g., 'Clare Consulting').
Academic
Appears in historical or geographical contexts (e.g., 'the geology of County Clare').
Everyday
Almost exclusively as a person's name or a reference to the Irish county.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clare”
- Using 'clare' as a verb (e.g., 'to clare the table' is incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'clair', 'claire', or 'clare' when the context requires 'claret' (the wine).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is almost exclusively a proper noun (a name or place name). It is not used as a common noun, verb, or adjective in contemporary standard English.
It derives from the Latin 'Clarus', meaning 'clear, bright, famous'. It was the name of Saint Clare of Assisi and became a popular given name.
'Clare' is primarily a name. 'Claret' is an English term, particularly common in the UK, for a dry red wine from Bordeaux, France. It originates from the French 'clairet', a type of light red wine.
In British English, it is pronounced /kleə(r)/ (like 'clair'). In American English, it is pronounced /kler/ (like 'claire' with a rhotic 'r' sound at the end).
A proper noun, most commonly a female given name or a place name.
Clare is usually formal/neutral when used as a proper noun. not used in informal contexts as a common word. in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CLARE' as 'CLear AIR' – a bright and clear name.
Conceptual Metaphor
NAME IS LIGHT (etymologically from Latin 'clarus' meaning clear, bright, famous).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern usage of the word 'clare' in English?