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- Dictionaryclean/klēn/
adjective
- 1. free from dirt, marks, or stains: "the room was spotlessly clean" Similar washedscrubbedcleansedcleanedpolishedspotlessunsoiledunstainedunspottedunsulliedunblemishedimmaculatepristinespecklessdirt-freehygienicsanitarydisinfectedsterilizedsterileasepticdecontaminatedhealthypurewhitewhiter than whitelaunderedinformal:squeaky cleanas clean as a whistleOpposite dirty
- ▪ having been washed since last worn or used: "a clean blouse"
- ▪ (of paper) not yet marked by writing or drawing: "he copied the directions onto a clean sheet of paper" Similar blankemptybareclearplainwhiteunusednewpristinefreshunmarkedunfilleduntouchedOpposite used
- ▪ (of a person) attentive to personal hygiene: "by nature he was clean and neat"
- ▪ free from pollutants or unpleasant substances: "we will create a cleaner, safer environment" Similar pureclearfreshcrisprefreshingunpolluteduncontaminateduntaintedunmixedunadulterateddistilledpurifiedOpposite polluted
- ▪ (of a fuel, source of energy, or form of technology) producing relatively few or no net emissions of greenhouse gases: "significant policy measures to boost clean energy were lacking"
- ▪ relating to a diet consisting primarily of unprocessed and unrefined food: "you have to eat clean foods to change your physique"
- ▪ free from or producing relatively little radioactive contamination.
- ▪ (of timber) free from knots: "the forester and the sawyer reject timber that is not straight and clean"
- 2. morally uncontaminated; pure; innocent: "clean living" Similar virtuousgooduprightupstandinghonorablerespectablereputabledecentrighteousmoralmorally correctethicalexemplaryhonestjustinnocentpurechasteundefiledguiltlessblamelessirreproachableunimpeachablepure as the driven snowwhiter than whiteimmaculateimpeccableinformal:squeaky cleaninnocentguiltlessblamelessclearin the clearnot to blameguilt-freecrime-freeabove suspicionunimpeachableirreproachableinformal:squeaky cleanOpposite immoralguilty
- ▪ not sexually offensive or obscene: "it's all good clean fun"
- ▪ showing or having no record of offenses or crimes: "a clean driving license is essential for the job"
- ▪ played or done according to the rules: "it was a good clean fight" Similar fairhonestsportingsportsmanlikejustuprightlaw-abidingchivalroushonorableaccording to the rulesaccording to Hoyleinformal:on the levelOpposite dirtyunfair
- ▪ not possessing or containing anything illegal, especially drugs or stolen goods: informal "I searched him and his luggage, and he was clean"
- ▪ (of a person) not taking or having taken drugs or alcohol. informal Similar soberteetotalnondrinkingclearheadedas sober as a judgedrug-freefree of drugsoff drugsabstinentself-restrainedinformal:dryon the wagonstraight
- ▪ free from ceremonial defilement, according to Mosaic Law and similar religious codes.
- 3. free from irregularities; having a smooth edge or surface: "a clean fracture of the leg"
- ▪ having a simple, well-defined, and pleasing shape: "the clean lines and pared-down planes of modernism" Similar simpleelegantgracefulunclutteredtrimshapelyunfussyuncomplicatedstreamlinedsmoothwell defineddefiniteclean-cutregularsymmetricalOpposite complexelaborate
- ▪ (of an action) smoothly and skillfully done: "I still hadn't made a clean takeoff" Similar neatsmoothcrispstraightaccuratepreciseslickinch-perfectOpposite ragged
- 4. (of a taste, sound, or smell) giving a clear and distinctive impression to the senses; sharp and fresh: "clean, fresh, natural flavors"
adverb
- 1. so as to be free from dirt, marks, or unwanted matter: "the room had been washed clean"
- ▪ in a way that involves the consumption of unprocessed, unrefined, and nutrient-rich food: "plain oatmeal is a staple for anyone who's eating clean"
- 2. used to emphasize the completeness of a reported action, condition, or experience: informal "he was knocked clean off his feet"
verb
- 1. make (something or someone) free of dirt, marks, or mess, especially by washing, wiping, or brushing: "clean your teeth properly after meals" Similar washcleansewipespongescrubmoprinsescourswabhose downsluice (down)flushpolishdisinfectshampooflossliterary:lavelaunderdry-cleanOpposite dirtysoil
- ▪ remove the innards of (fish or poultry) prior to cooking: "there are a variety of ways to cook the herring, but it must first be gutted and cleaned" Similar guteviscerateremove the innards ofdrawdress
Word Origin Old Englishclǣne, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German klein ‘small’.
Derivatives
- 1. cleanable adjective
- 2. cleanish adjective
- 3. cleanness noun
Scrabble Points: 7
C
3L
1E
1A
1N
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