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

Proper debris disposal helps maintain cleanliness and prevents blockages that can lead to water damage. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026

The building owners also identified homelessness, cleanliness, a lack of retail options, and the city’s budget deficit as additional barriers to revitalizing downtown. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

According to city officials, the area’s lingering reputation for cleanliness and public safety challenges continues to complicate efforts to attract workers, residents and visitors back to the heart of the city. —Laura Waxmann, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026

These are watering holes that embrace the same aesthetics as classic dive bars, but pay more attention to the quality of the cocktails, cleanliness and, often, the food. —Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cleanliness

• cleanliness is next to godliness