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

According to Chris Willatt, owner of Alpine Maids, loading silverware in the dishwasher with the handles pointing down and the usable sides pointing up is the best way to achieve prime cleanliness. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026

Differing opinions, interests, schedules, habits, and cleanliness standards can all stack up to turn what was supposed to be a fun group trip into something entirely the opposite. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026

The vulnerability, the crass graffiti, the (lack of) cleanliness, uncomfortable toilet seats—the list of reasons is lengthy. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026

Generic industry multiples are insufficient; true valuation depends on risk factors like owner independence, revenue diversification, growth, and financial cleanliness. — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cleanliness

• cleanliness is next to godliness