clearing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal, depending on context (everyday for forest, formal for finance).
Quick answer
What does “clearing” mean?
An open space in a forest where trees have been removed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An open space in a forest where trees have been removed; the act of making something clear, free from obstruction, or removing something.
A system in finance for settling payments between banks; a process of authenticating or validating documents or users; a state of becoming free from cloudiness or confusion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use all senses. The financial 'clearing house' is common in both. 'Clearing' for a university's admissions system is predominantly British.
Connotations
Similar connotations of openness, removal, and procedural finality.
Frequency
The forest sense is equally common. The financial/administrative sense may be slightly more frequent in British media due to 'UCAS Clearing' (university admissions).
Grammar
How to Use “clearing” in a Sentence
clearing of + [obstruction/debt/land]clearing in + [forest/woods]clearing for + [purpose/construction]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clearing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They are clearing the land for a new car park.
- The cheque is clearing in three working days.
American English
- They're clearing the lot for a new parking garage.
- The check is clearing in three business days.
adjective
British English
- He used a clearing bank for the transaction.
- The clearing mechanism is efficient.
American English
- He used a clearinghouse bank for the transaction.
- The clearing mechanism is efficient.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The transaction will take two days to complete the clearing process.
Academic
Deforestation often begins with small clearings for subsistence agriculture.
Everyday
We set up our tent in a small, sunny clearing in the woods.
Technical
The central counterparty provides clearing and settlement services for derivatives trades.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “clearing”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “clearing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clearing”
- Using 'cleaning' instead of 'clearing' for land (e.g., 'cleaning the forest' is wrong).
- Using the continuous verb form 'clearing' as the main noun when 'clearance' is better (e.g., 'security clearing' vs. 'security clearance').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while the forest 'glade' sense is common, 'clearing' is widely used in finance, security, and general contexts meaning 'the process of removing or settling'.
It's a UK university admissions system that matches applicants without places to available course vacancies after exam results are published.
'Clearing' often refers to the ongoing process (e.g., cheque clearing). 'Clearance' is the result or permission (e.g., security clearance, clearance sale).
Yes, but in the data above we focus on the noun. The verb is 'to clear'. 'Clearing' as a present participle/gerund (e.g., 'He is clearing the table') is the verb form.
An open space in a forest where trees have been removed.
Clearing is usually neutral to formal, depending on context (everyday for forest, formal for finance). in register.
Clearing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklɪər.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklɪr.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A clearing in the woods”
- “Clearing the decks (related verb)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CLEARING as a place in the forest where it's CLEAR to see because the trees are gone.
Conceptual Metaphor
REMOVING OBSTACLES IS CREATING CLEAR SPACE (for physical items, debts, or information).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'clearing' LEAST likely to be used?