What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
closeout
Example
The furniture store had a closeout sale before they closed their doors for good. [closeout: noun]
Example
They decided to closeout the summer collection and make space for the new arrivals. [closeout: verb]
clearance
Example
The store had a clearance sale to get rid of last season's clothes. [clearance: noun]
Example
They cleared out the old stock by offering clearance prices. [clearance: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Clearance is more commonly used than closeout in everyday language. Clearance sales are frequently advertised and well-known to customers, while closeout sales are less common and usually only occur when a store is closing down.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between closeout and clearance?
Both closeout and clearance are relatively informal terms used in retail contexts. However, clearance may be slightly more formal as it is a widely recognized term used in various industries.