cleanliness

noun

clean·​li·​ness ˈklen-lē-nəs 

: the quality or state of being clean : the practice of keeping oneself or one's surroundings clean

Though a stale remark, it can hardly be said too often, that personal cleanliness is one of the necessary agents to health …

—Walt Whitman

The Romans spent hours at their elaborate bathhouse complexes, but not everyone equated cleanliness with virtue …

—Sara Ivry

This cleanliness is necessary to ensure that no dust or particles end up on the silicon surface during the processing of the chip.

—Robert J. Cone

Examples of cleanliness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Georgia, after establishing herself as a non-hands-washer last year (and doubling down over and over again), decided to sharply pivot to become a maven of cleanliness. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 July 2026

Some riders are also concerned about drug use, cleanliness and the presence of homeless people. — ABC News, 9 July 2026

But while skipping a dusting session here and there might not seem like a big deal, buildup on these fixtures can affect everything from lighting quality to indoor air cleanliness. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026

The inspector found a lack of overall cleanliness, poor handwashing practices and pest control issues, according to the city spokesperson. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cleanliness

• cleanliness is next to godliness