1 A2 neutral
To remove all unwanted items from a room, container, or space.
"I need to clear out the spare room before my parents come to stay."
separable
clear out
A2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To remove all unwanted items from a place; or to leave a place quickly.
In plain English
To take everything out of a place to make it empty; or to get out of somewhere fast.
What does "clear out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To leave a place quickly, often because one is told to or a situation demands it.
"When the fire alarm went off, everyone cleared out of the building within minutes."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To remove things from inside a space so it is clear (empty).
Actually means
To take everything out of a place to make it empty; or to get out of somewhere fast.
Usage tip
Very common in everyday British and American English. Used domestically (clear out a cupboard), commercially (a sale to clear out stock), and informally as a command to leave. 'Clearout' (noun) refers to a thorough session of removing unwanted things.
Words that pair with "clear out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
cupboard wardrobe attic stock room drawer building
How to conjugate "clear out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
clear out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
clears out
he/she/it
Past simple
cleared out
yesterday
Past participle
cleared out
have + pp
-ing form
clearing out
continuous
Hear "clear out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "clear out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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