What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
colourless
Example
The water in the glass was completely colourless. [colourless: adjective]
Example
Her face turned colourless when she heard the bad news. [colourless: adjective]
clear
Example
The glass was clear and I could see through it. [clear: adjective]
Example
Please make your instructions more clear so that everyone can understand. [clear: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Clear is more commonly used than colourless in everyday language. Clear is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while colourless is less common and is mainly used to describe physical objects.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between colourless and clear?
Both colourless and clear can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, clear is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, making it suitable for a wider range of situations.