/ˈklɪɹənsɪz/
clearances is pronounced /ˈklɪɹənsɪz/. Clearances is the plural of clearance, referring to official permissions or removals of obstacles. In law or regulation, it denotes authorized permissions; in logistics, it can mean space made available or removals of items. The term often appears in contexts such as export controls, building clearances, or safety inspections, and it can also describe the act of clearing spaces in sports or military operations.
Say it backClearances is the plural of clearance, referring to official permissions or removals of obstacles. In law or regulation, it denotes authorized permissions; in logistics, it can mean space made available or removals of items. The term often appears in contexts such as export controls, building clearances, or safety inspections, and it can also describe the act of clearing spaces in sports or military operations.
"The customs officer issued new clearances for those goods after inspection."
"There are clearance restrictions in the fire lane that must not be blocked."
"Space was limited, so we ordered only essential items to maintain clearances."
Clearances is pronounced as /ˈklɪər.ən.sɪz/ in US/UK and /ˈklɪər.ən.sɪz/ in Australian. The primary stress sits on the first syllable 'cliar' (the vowel combination 'ea' → /ɪə/ in many accents). Follow with a light, schwa-like or reduced second syllable and a clear third syllable, ending with a voiced 'z' sound. Think 'KLIAREN-siz' with the 'ea' producing a smooth /ɪə/ glide.
Common errors: (1) Overpronouncing the middle vowel as a full 'a' or 'æ' instead of /ɪə/; (2) Missing the linking /r/ in a rhotic environment, producing /ˈklɪən.sɪz/; (3) Ending with a voiceless 's' instead of a voiced 'z' /z/; fix: keep the /r/ or /ɹ/ sound in rhotic accents and end with /z/. Practice by saying 'cleared' portion as /klɪəɹ/ then add -ən.sɪz.
In US and UK accents, the first syllable typically centers on /ɪə/ or /ɪr/ with strong initial /kl/ cluster. US tends toward rhotic /ˈklɪɚ.ən.sɪz/ with a pronounced 'r' before the vowel, while UK often gives /ˈklɪə.rən.sɪz/ with a non-rhotic tendency on the post-vocalic r. Australian tends to a softer /ˈklɪə.rən.sɪz/ with less rhotic influence and a flatter chromosome of the final syllables.
The difficulty lies in the three-syllable structure with a diphthong in the first syllable and a cluster /kl/ at the start. The /ɪə/ or /ɪər/ vowel transition can be unstable in rapid speech, and the final /s/ often becomes a voiceless /s/ or voiced /z/ depending on the surrounding phonemes. Also, pluralization -es adds an extra syllable that can throw off rhythm; practice maintaining a tight dynamic between /kl/ onset and the /ən.sɪz/ tail.
A unique tip: practice with a rapid mouth position glide from /kl/ to /ɪə/ by softly articulating /kl/ then immediately relaxing the jaw to /ɪə/ before adding the /r/ (in rhotic accents) or not, depending on accent. Then close with /ən.sɪz/. Use a slow tempo first, then speed up while keeping the /ɪə/ stable and the final /z/ voiced. This anchors the diphthong transition and final voicing.
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Clearance derives from the verb clear, itself from Old English clǣrian, meaning to make clear or free from impediment, with the suffix -ance forming a noun denoting action or process (as in allowance, surveillance). The modern noun clearance emerged in the late Middle English to early Modern English period, capturing the act of clearing space, removing obstacles, or obtaining official permission. In legal and administrative contexts, clearance took on the sense of authorization or entitlement, for example, a customs clearance or security clearance. By the 16th–18th centuries, combined forms like ‘clearance’ referred to the formal permission documents, licenses, or permits issued by authorities. The plural clearances extended naturally to refer to multiple instances of permissions or removals. In logistics and building contexts, clearance also captured measured space or headroom, as in “clearance height” for vehicles and ceilings. The word’s core meaning—freeing, removing obstacles, and certifying that something meets a standard—has persisted across centuries, adapting to modern bureaucratic and regulatory language while retaining its physical sense of space and permission.
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Words that rhyme with "clearances"
-ces sounds
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