clean

¹clean

adj \ˈklēn\

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

a : thorough, complete <a clean break with the past> b : deftly executed : skillful <clean ballet technique> c : hit beyond the reach of an opponent <a clean single to center>

6

a : relatively free from error or blemish : clear; specifically : legible <clean copy> b : unencumbered <clean bill of sale>

7

a : characterized by clarity and precision : trim <a clean prose style> <architecture with clean almost austere lines> b : even, smooth <a clean edge> <a sharp blow causing a clean break> c : free from impedances to smooth flow (as of water or air) <a clean airplane> <a ship with a clean bottom>

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

Examples of CLEAN

1. This table isn't clean. There's a sticky spot where something spilled.
2. He keeps a very clean house.
3. The janitor does a good job of keeping the office clean.
4. I wiped the baby's face clean.
5. He's a clean young man.
6. Cats are very clean animals.
7. Solar power provides clean energy.

Origin of CLEAN

Middle English clene, from Old English clǣne; akin to Old High German kleini delicate, dainty

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to CLEAN

Synonyms: antiseptic, chaste, fair, immaculate, pristine, spick-and-span (or spic-and-span), spotless, squeaky-clean, stainless, unsoiled, unstained, unsullied

Antonyms: besmirched, dirty, filthy, foul, grubby, smirched, soiled, spotted, stained, sullied, unclean, uncleaned

Related Words: pure, taintless, undefiled, unpolluted, untainted, wholesome; cleanly, germfree, hygienic, sanitary, sterile; abluted, bleached, cleansed, purified, scrubbed, washed, whitened; milky, snowy, white; flawless, unblemished; bright, shiny, sparkling

Near Antonyms: dingy, greasy, grimy, mucky, muddy, unwashed; defiled, germy, polluted, tainted, unsterile, unsterilized; blackened, discolored

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