clean
clean
(kliːn )Word forms: comparative cleaner , superlative cleanest , 3rd person singular present tense cleans , present participle cleaning , past tense, past participle cleaned
1. adjective
Something that is clean is free from dirt or unwanted marks.
He wore his cleanest slacks, a clean shirt and a navy blazer.
Disease has not been a problem because clean water is available.
The metro is efficient and spotlessly clean.
Tiled kitchen floors are easy to keep clean.
spotless, fresh, washed, immaculate, laundered, impeccable, flawless, sanitary, faultless, squeaky-clean, hygienic, unblemished, unsullied, unstained, unsoiled, unspotted2. adjective
You say that people or animals are clean when they keep themselves or their surroundings clean.
3. adjective
Fans of electric cars say they are clean, quiet and economical.
cleanly adverb [ADVERB after verb]
Manufacturers are working with new fuels to find one that burns more cleanly than petrol.
4. verb
If you clean something or clean dirt off it, you make it free from dirt and unwanted marks, for example by washing or wiping it. If something cleans easily, it is easy to clean.
Her father cleaned his glasses with a paper napkin. [VERB noun]
It took half an hour to clean the orange powder off the bath. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
He cleaned the flakes away with his coat sleeve. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
Wood flooring not only cleans easily, but it's environmentally friendly into the bargain. [VERB adverb]
cleanse, wash, bath, sweep, dust, wipe, vacuum, scrub, sponge, rinse, mop, launder, scour, purify, do up, swab, disinfect, lave, deodorize, sanitize, deep clean5. verb
If you clean a room or house, you make the inside of it and the furniture in it free from dirt and dust.
With them also lived Mary Burinda, who cooked and cleaned. [VERB]
She got up early and cleaned the flat. [VERB noun]
cleaning uncountable noun
I do the cleaning myself.
6. adjective
7. adjective
Accusations of tax evasion have tarnished his clean image.
You can hire these from most car hire firms, provided you have a clean driving licence.
8. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
He called for a clean fight in the election and an end to 'negative campaigning'.
It was a clean match, well refereed.
cleanly adverb [ADVERB after verb, ADVERB -ed]
The game had been cleanly fought.
9. graded adjective
10. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
11. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
12. adverb [oft ADV before v]
Clean is used to emphasize that something was done completely.
[informal, emphasis]It burned clean through the seat of my overalls.
The thief got clean away with the money.
I clean forgot everything I had prepared.
13. graded adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
He admires the clean lines of Shaker furniture.
The drill should be slowly rotated to ensure a clean hole.
neat, simple, elegant, trim, delicate, tidy, graceful, unclutteredcleanly graded adverb [ADVERB with verb]
Cut horizontally and cleanly through the stem.
14. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
You can describe an action as clean to indicate that it is carried out simply and quickly without mistakes.
They were more concerned about the dogs' welfare than a clean getaway.
Paul had arrested countless men like this one before and was expecting a clean, quick job.
cleanly adverb [ADVERB after verb, ADVERB -ed]
I struck the ball cleanly and my shot was on target.
15.
20. a clean slate
22. a clean sweep
Phrasal verbs:
