So easy to understand or perceive that no relevant ambiguity remains.
Reach for it when giving emphatic praise to unusually clear instruction, evidence, or visibility
The instructor gave crystal-clear directions before anyone touched the climbing gear.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
playful
clear as day
Fits when an emphatic familiar idiom fits
Careful The cliché is too casual and can dismiss honest disagreement.
everyday
plain
Fits when simple direct language is the priority
Careful Plain is milder and may sound blunt or visually unadorned.
professional
explicit
Fits when nothing important is left merely implied
Careful Explicit material can be cluttered and need not be easy to absorb.
professional
Fits when the process or basis is open to inspection
Careful Transparency does not ensure that a reader can understand what is visible.
professional
Fits when only one reasonable interpretation remains
Careful Unambiguous wording can still be technical or hard to follow.
formal
Fits when complex thought is expressed with exceptional clarity
Careful Lucid is elevated and generally describes thought or prose, not a route or image.
literary
Fits when recognition cannot reasonably be confused
Careful Unmistakable is absolute and may overclaim uncertain evidence.
crystal-clear instructions
Crystal-clear instructions reduced errors during the emergency drill.
crystal-clear explanation
A crystal-clear explanation showed where the two totals diverged.
make crystal-clear
The label should make crystal-clear which valve controls the sprinkler line.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
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