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Word Central

clean

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

cleaning

Main Entry:: ³clean
Function:: verb
Date:: 15th century

transitive verb

1 a: to make clean: as (1): to rid of dirt, impurities, or extraneous matter (2): to rid of corruption <vowing to clean up city hall> b: remove, eradicate —usually used with up or off<clean up that mess>2 a: strip, empty <a tree cleaned of fruit> b: to remove the entrails from <clean fish> c: to deprive of money or possessions —often used with out<they cleaned him out completely>intransitive verb: to undergo or perform a process of cleaning <clean up before dinner>

— clean·abil·i·ty

Listen to the pronunciation of cleanability

\ˌklē-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— clean·able

Listen to the pronunciation of cleanable

\ˈklē-nə-bəl\ adjective

— clean house

1: to clean a house and its furniture2: 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

Learn more about "clean" and related topics at Britannica.com

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