wash

¹wash

verb
\ˈwȯsh, ˈwäsh, chiefly Midland also ˈwȯrsh or ˈwärsh\

Definition of WASH

transitive verb

1

a : to cleanse by or as if by the action of liquid (as water) b : to remove (as dirt) by rubbing or drenching with liquid

2

: to cleanse (fur) by licking or by rubbing with a paw moistened with saliva

3

a : to flush or moisten (a bodily part or injury) with a liquid b (1) : to wet thoroughly : drench (2) : to overspread with light : suffuse c : to pass a liquid (as water) over or through especially so as to carry off material from the surface or interior

4

: to flow along or dash or overflow against <waves washing the shore>

5

: to move, carry, or deposit by or as if by the force of water in motion <houses washed away by the flood>

6

a : to subject (as crushed ore) to the action of water to separate valuable material b : to separate (particles) from a substance (as ore) by agitation with or in water c (1) : to pass through a bath to carry off impurities or soluble components (2) : to pass (a gas or gaseous mixture) through or over a liquid to purify it especially by removing soluble components

7

a : to cover or daub lightly with or as if with an application of a thin liquid (as whitewash or varnish) b : to depict or paint by a broad sweep of thin color with a brush

8

: to cause to swirl <washing coffee around in his cup>

9

: launder 3 <how the mob washes its money through corrupt bankers — Vincent Teresa>

intransitive verb

1

: to wash oneself or a part of one's body

2

: to become worn away by the action of water

3

: to clean something by rubbing or dipping in water

4

a : to become carried along on water : drift <cakes of ice washing along> b : to pour, sweep, or flow in a stream or current <waves of pioneers washing westward — Green Peyton>

5

: to serve as a cleansing agent <this soap washes thoroughly>

6

a : to undergo laundering <this dress doesn't wash well> b (1) : to undergo testing successfully : work 4 <an interesting theory, but it just won't wash> (2) : to gain acceptance : inspire belief <the story didn't wash with me>

— wash one's hands of

: to disclaim interest in, responsibility for, or further connection with

Examples of WASH

1. We have to wash the dishes.
2. Did you wash your hands?
3. The flooding washed sand and silt all over the area.
4. The pollution washes into rivers from nearby factories.
5. Water washed over the deck of the ship.
6. Waves washed up onto the beach.

Origin of WASH

Middle English, from Old English wascan; akin to Old High German waskan to wash and perhaps to Old English wæter water

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WASH

Synonyms: bathe, lap, lave, lip, splash

Antonyms: pour, roll, stream

Related Words: bubble, gurgle, plash, ripple, slosh

Near Antonyms: run

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with WASH

bosh, cosh, Foch, frosh, gosh, gouache, josh, mâche, mosh, nosh, posh, quash, slosh, squash, swash, tosh