clarity

Where does the word "clarity" come from? It comes from Latin clarus, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

Clarity’s story begins in Latin: clarus meant “clear, bright.” The root of 'clear', 'clarify' and 'declare'. Within Latin, it grew into claritas by ancient. Clearness, brightness, from clarus. It reached English by 1400s as clarity. Settled as the English word for the quality of being clear and easy to understand. Today, clarity means the quality of being clear, transparent, or easy to understand.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient clarus "clear, bright", the root of 'clear', 'clarify' and 'declare'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient claritas "clearness, brightness", clearness, brightness, from clarus.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s clarity "the quality of being clear and easy to understand", settled as the English word for the quality of being clear and easy to understand.