Collins English Thesaurus Essential. Collins Dictionaries
hasp, press studclass NOUN 1 the relationship between different social classes = group, grouping, set, order, league, division, rank, caste, status, sphere 2 a new class of personal computer = type, set, sort, kind, collection, species, grade, category, stamp, genre, classification, denomination, genus ▸ VERB I would class my garden as being medium in size. = classify, group, rate, rank, brand, label, grade, designate, categorize, codifyclassic ADJECTIVE 1 This is a classic example of media hype. = typical, standard, model, regular, usual, ideal, characteristic, definitive, archetypal, exemplary, quintessential, time-honoured, paradigmatic, dinki-di (Austral. informal) 2 Aldous Huxley's classic work, The Perennial Philosophy = masterly, best, finest, master, world-class, consummate, first-rate ◼ OPPOSITE: second-rate 3 These are classic designs which will fit in well anywhere. = lasting, enduring, abiding, immortal, undying, ageless, deathless ▸ NOUN The album is one of the classics of modern popular music. = standard, masterpiece, prototype, paradigm, exemplar, masterwork, modelclassification NOUN 1 the accepted classification of the animal and plant kingdoms = categorization, grading, cataloguing, taxonomy, codification, sorting, analysis, arrangement, profiling 2 several different classifications of vehicles = class, grouping, heading, head, order, sort, list, department, type, division, section, rank, gradeclassify VERB = categorize, sort, file, rank, arrange, grade, catalogue, codify, pigeonhole, tabulate, systematizeclassy ADJECTIVE = high-class, select, exclusive, superior, elegant, stylish, posh (informal, chiefly Brit.), swish (informal, chiefly Brit.), up-market, urbane, swanky (informal), top-drawer, ritzy (slang), high-toned, schmick (Austral. informal)clause NOUN = section, condition, article, item, chapter, rider, provision, passage, point, part, heading, paragraph, specification, proviso, stipulationclaw NOUN 1 The cat's claws got caught in my clothes. = nail, talon 2 The lobster has two large claws. = pincer, nipper ▸ VERB The wolf clawed at the tree and howled the whole night. = scratch, tear, dig, rip, scrape, graze, maul, scrabble, mangle, mangulate (Austral. slang), lacerateclean ADJECTIVE 1 Disease is not a problem because clean water is available. = hygienic, natural, fresh, sterile, pure, purified, antiseptic, sterilized, unadulterated, uncontaminated, unpolluted, decontaminated ◼ OPPOSITE: contaminated 2 He wore his cleanest slacks and a navy blazer. = spotless, fresh, washed, immaculate, laundered, impeccable, flawless, sanitary, faultless, squeaky-clean, hygienic, unblemished, unsullied, unstained, unsoiled, unspotted ◼ OPPOSITE: dirty 3 He became a model of clean living. = moral, good, pure, decent, innocent, respectable, upright, honourable, impeccable, exemplary, virtuous, chaste, undefiled ◼ OPPOSITE: immoral 4 It is time for a clean break with the past. = complete, final, whole, total, perfect, entire, decisive, thorough, conclusive, unimpaired 5 I admire the clean lines of Shaker furniture. = neat, simple, elegant, trim, delicate, tidy, graceful, uncluttered ◼ OPPOSITE: untidy ▸ VERB Her father cleaned his glasses with a paper napkin. = cleanse, wash, bath, sweep, dust, wipe, vacuum, scrub, sponge, rinse, mop, launder, scour, purify, do up, swab, disinfect, deodorize, sanitize, deep clean ◼ OPPOSITE: dirtyclean-cut ADJECTIVE = neat, trim, tidy, chiselledcleanliness NOUN = cleanness, purity, freshness, whiteness, sterility, spotlessnesscleanse VERB 1 Your body is beginning to cleanse itself of toxins. = purify, clear, purge 2 Confession cleanses the soul. = absolve, clear, purge, purify 3 She demonstrated the proper way to cleanse the face. = clean, wash, scrub, rinse, scourcleanser NOUN = detergent, soap, solvent, disinfectant, soap powder, purifier, scourer, washclear ADJECTIVE 1 The book is clear, readable and amply illustrated. = comprehensible, explicit, articulate, understandable, coherent, lucid, user-friendly, intelligible ◼ OPPOSITE: confused 2 He repeated his answer in a clear, firm voice. = distinct, audible, perceptible ◼ OPPOSITE: indistinct 3 It was a clear case of mistaken identity. = obvious, plain, apparent, bold, patent, evident, distinct, pronounced, definite, manifest, blatant, conspicuous, unmistakable, express, palpable, unequivocal, recognizable, unambiguous, unquestionable, cut-and-dried (informal), incontrovertible ◼ OPPOSITE: ambiguous 4 It is important to be clear on what the author is saying here. = certain, sure, convinced, positive, satisfied, resolved, explicit, definite, decided ◼ OPPOSITE: confused 5 The water is clear and plenty of fish are visible. = transparent, see-through, translucent, crystalline, glassy, limpid, pellucid ◼ OPPOSITE: opaque 6 All exits must be kept clear in case of fire. = unobstructed, open, free, empty, unhindered, unimpeded, unhampered ◼ OPPOSITE: blocked 7 Most places will be dry with clear skies. = bright, fine, fair, shining, sunny, luminous, halcyon, cloudless, undimmed, light, unclouded ◼ OPPOSITE: cloudy 8 I can look back on things with a clear conscience. = untroubled, clean, pure, innocent, stainless, immaculate, unblemished, untarnished, guiltless, sinless, undefiled ▸ VERB 1 We called in a plumber to clear our blocked sink. = unblock, unclog, free, loosen, extricate, disengage, open, disentangle 2 Firefighters were still clearing rubble from the scene. = remove, clean, wipe, cleanse, tidy (up), sweep away 3 As the weather cleared, helicopters began to ferry the injured to hospital. = brighten, break up, lighten 4 The horse cleared the fence by several inches. = pass over, jump, leap, vault, miss 5 In a final effort to clear her name, she is writing a book. = absolve, acquit, vindicate, exonerate ◼ OPPOSITE: blame ● clear out 'Clear out!' he bawled, 'This is private property.' = go away, leave, retire, withdraw, depart, beat it (slang), decamp, hook it (slang), slope off, pack your bags (informal), make tracks, take yourself off, make yourself scarce, rack off (Austral. & N.Z. slang) ● clear something out 1 I took the precaution of clearing out my desk before I left. = empty, sort, tidy up 2 It'll take you a month just to clear out all this rubbish. = get rid of, remove, dump, dispose of, throw away or out ● clear something up 1 I told you to clear up your room. = tidy (up), order, straighten, rearrange, put in order 2 During dinner the confusion was cleared up. = solve, explain, resolve, clarify, unravel, straighten out, elucidateclearance NOUN 1 By the late fifties, slum clearance was the watchword in town planning. = evacuation, emptying, withdrawal, removal, eviction, depopulation 2 He has a security clearance that allows him access to classified information. = permission, consent, endorsement, green light, authorization, blank cheque, go-ahead (informal), leave, sanction, O.K. or okay (informal) 3 The lowest fixed bridge has 12.8m clearance. = space, gap, margin, allowance, headroomclear-cut ADJECTIVE = straightforward, specific, plain, precise, black-and-white, explicit, definite, unequivocal, unambiguous, cut-and-dried (informal)clearing NOUN = glade, space, dellclearly ADVERB 1 He clearly believes that he is in the right. = obviously, undoubtedly, evidently, distinctly, markedly, overtly, undeniably, beyond doubt, incontrovertibly, incontestably, openly 2 Write your address clearly on the back of the envelope. = legibly, distinctly 3 Please speak clearly after the tone. = audibly, distinctly, intelligibly, comprehensiblycleave1 VERB a tool for cleaving watermelons = split, open, divide, crack, slice, rend (literary), sever, part, hew, tear asunder, sundercleave2 VERB ● cleave to = stick to, stand by, cling to, hold to, be devoted to, adhere to, be attached to, abide by, be true tocleft NOUN = opening, break, crack, gap, rent, breach, fracture, rift, chink, crevice, fissure, crannyclemency NOUN = mercy, pity, humanity, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, indulgence, leniency, forbearance, quarterclement ADJECTIVE = mild, fine, fair, calm, temperate, balmyclergy NOUN = priesthood, ministry,