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

Cairns, situated on the northeastern coast of Queensland, stood out for its cleanliness and green spaces, as well as low noise and light pollution levels. —Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025

The inspector also noted a cockroach infestation and an overall lack of cleanliness throughout the facility. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025

At its core, this transit is a reminder that clarity is power and in Virgo’s world, cleanliness really is next to godliness. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025

This will help maintain the cleanliness of the stove drip pans (and of your cooking), as well as help keep your stove running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cleanliness

• cleanliness is next to godliness