First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1clean
adjective \ˈklēn\
: free from dirt, marks, etc. : not dirty
: tending to keep clean
: free from pollution or other dangerous substances
Full Definition of CLEAN
1
a : free from dirt or pollution <changed to clean clothes> <clean solar energy> b : free from contamination or disease <a clean wound> c : free or relatively free from radioactivity <a clean atomic explosion>
2
a : unadulterated, pure <the clean thrill of one's first flight> b of a precious stone : having no interior flaws visible c : free from growth that hinders tillage <clean farmland>
3
a : free from moral corruption or sinister connections of any kind <a candidate with a clean record>; also : free from violations <a clean driving record> b : free from offensive treatment of sexual subjects and from the use of obscenity <a clean joke> c : observing the rules : fair <a clean fight>
4
: ceremonially or spiritually pure <and all who are clean may eat flesh — Leviticus 7:19(Revised Standard Version)>
5
6
a : relatively free from error or blemish : clear; specifically : legible <clean copy> b : unencumbered <clean bill of sale>
7
8
a : empty <the ship returned with a clean hold> b : free from drug addiction <has been clean for six months> c slang : having no contraband (as weapons or drugs) in one's possession
9
: habitually neat
— clean·ness \ˈklēn-nəs\ noun
See clean defined for English-language learners
See clean defined for kids
Origin of CLEAN
Middle English clene, from Old English clǣne; akin to Old High German kleini delicate, dainty
Related to CLEAN
- Synonyms
- antiseptic, chaste, fair, immaculate, pristine, spick-and-span (or spic-and-span), spotless, squeaky-clean, stainless, unsoiled, unstained, unsullied
2clean
adverb
: all the way : completely or entirely
Full Definition of CLEAN
1
a : so as to clean <a new broom sweeps clean> b : in a clean manner <play the game clean>
2
: all the way : completely <the bullet went clean through his arm>
See clean defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CLEAN
before 12th century
3clean
verb
: to make (something) clean : to remove dirt, marks, etc., from (something)
: to become clean
: to make (something, such as a room) neat and orderly
Full Definition of CLEAN
transitive verb
1
2
intransitive verb
: to undergo or perform a process of cleaning <clean up before dinner>
— clean·abil·i·ty \ˌklē-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— clean·able \ˈklē-nə-bəl\ adjective
— clean house
1
: to clean a house and its furniture
2
: to make sweeping reforms or changes (as of personnel)
— clean one's clock
: to beat one badly in a fight or competition
— clean up one's act
: to behave in a more acceptable manner
See clean defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CLEAN
15th century
4clean
noun
: an act of removing dirt from something
Full Definition of CLEAN
: an act of cleaning dirt especially from the surface of something
See clean defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CLEAN
circa 1889
CLEANING Defined for Kids
1clean
adjective \ˈklēn\
clean·erclean·est
Definition of CLEAN for Kids
1
: free of dirt or pollution <clean air> <Put on a clean shirt.>
2
: not yet used <Use a clean sheet of paper.>
3
: not involving or showing involvement with anything wrong or illegal <good, clean fun> <I've got a clean record.>
4
: not offensive <a clean joke>
5
: thorough 1 <She made a clean break with the past.>
6
: having a simple graceful form : trim <The ship has clean lines.>
2clean
adverb
Definition of CLEAN for Kids
: all the way : completely <The nail went clean through.> <Birds picked the bones clean.>
3clean
verb
cleanedclean·ing
Definition of CLEAN for Kids
: to make or become free of dirt or disorder <I cleaned my room.> <Please clean up for supper.>
— clean·er noun
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