Definition of clean
1a : free from dirt or pollution changed to clean clothes clean solar energyb : free from contamination or disease a clean woundc : free or relatively free from radioactivity a clean atomic explosion
2a : unadulterated, pure the clean thrill of one's first flightb of a precious stone : having no interior flaws visiblec : free from growth that hinders tillage clean farmland
3a : free from moral corruption or sinister connections of any kind a candidate with a clean record; also : free from violations a clean driving recordb : free from offensive treatment of sexual subjects and from the use of obscenity a clean jokec : observing the rules : fair a clean fight
4 : ceremonially or spiritually pure and all who are clean may eat flesh — Leviticus 7:19 (Revised Standard Version)
5a : thorough, complete a clean break with the pastb : deftly executed : skillful clean ballet technique The gymnast made a clean landing.c : hit beyond the reach of an opponent a clean single to center
6a : relatively free from error or blemish : clear; specifically : legible clean copyb : unencumbered clean bill of sale
7a : characterized by clarity and precision : trim a clean prose style architecture with clean almost austere linesb : even, smooth a clean edge a sharp blow causing a clean breakc : free from external hindrances to smooth flow (as of water or air) a clean airplane a ship with a clean bottom
8a : empty the ship returned with a clean holdb : free from drug addiction has been clean for six monthsc slang : having no contraband (such as weapons or drugs) in one's possession All visitors to the prison are searched to make sure they're clean.d of a computer : not having anything added by a user installed the software on a clean computer
From the M-W Editors
Examples of clean in a Sentence
This table isn't clean. There's a sticky spot where something spilled.
He keeps a very clean house.
The janitor does a good job of keeping the office clean.
I wiped the baby's face clean.
He's a clean young man.
Cats are very clean animals.
Solar power provides clean energy.
Origin and Etymology of clean
Middle English clene, from Old English clǣne; akin to Old High German kleini delicate, dainty
clean
Definition of clean
1a : so as to clean a new broom sweeps cleanb : in a clean manner play the game clean
2 : all the way : completely the bullet went clean through his arm
Examples of clean in a Sentence
Somehow, the top of the machine came clean off.
The nail went clean through the wall.
The fish were jumping clean out of the water.
Origin and Etymology of clean
see 1clean
clean
Definition of clean
transitive verb
1a : to make clean: such as (1) : to rid of dirt, impurities, or extraneous matter clean a wound (2) : to rid of corruption vowing to clean up city hallb : remove, eradicate —usually used with up or off clean up that mess
2a : strip, empty a tree cleaned of fruitb : to remove the entrails from clean fishc : to deprive of money or possessions —often used with out they cleaned him out completely
intransitive verb
: to undergo or perform a process of cleaning clean up before dinner
clean house
1 : to clean a house and its furniture
2 : to make sweeping reforms or changes (as of personnel)
clean one's clock
: to beat one badly in a fight or competition
clean up one's act
: to behave in a more acceptable manner
Examples of clean in a Sentence
The carpet needs to be cleaned.
They divide household duties so that she cleans and her husband cooks.
They cleaned the fish and cooked them on the campfire.
skin and clean a rabbit
Origin and Etymology of clean
see 1clean
clean
Definition of clean
: an act of cleaning dirt especially from the surface of something She gave the tub a good clean.
Origin and Etymology of clean
see 1clean
CLEAN Defined for English Language Learners
clean
playDefinition of clean for English Language Learners
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: free from dirt, marks, etc. : not dirty
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: tending to keep clean
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: free from pollution or other dangerous substances
clean
Definition of clean for English Language Learners
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: all the way : completely or entirely
clean
Definition of clean for English Language Learners
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: to make (something) clean : to remove dirt, marks, etc., from (something)
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: to become clean
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: to make (something, such as a room) neat and orderly
clean
Definition of clean for English Language Learners
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: an act of removing dirt from something
CLEAN Defined for Kids
Definition of clean for Students
cleaner
;cleanest
1 : free of dirt or pollution clean air Put on a clean shirt.
2 : not yet used Use a clean sheet of paper.
3 : not involving or showing involvement with anything wrong or illegal good, clean fun I've got a clean record.
4 : not offensive a clean joke
5 : thorough 1 She made a clean break with the past.
6 : having a simple graceful form : trim The ship has clean lines.
7 : 1smooth 1 The knife made a clean cut.
cleanly
\ˈklēn-lē\ adverbDefinition of clean for Students
: all the way : completely The nail went clean through. Birds picked the bones clean.
Definition of clean for Students
cleaned
;cleaning
: to make or become free of dirt or disorder I cleaned my room. Please clean up for supper.
cleaner
nounMedical Dictionary
Medical Definition of clean
1a: free from dirt or pollutionb: free from disease or infectious agents a pullorum-clean flock keep installations clean of TB infection
2: free from smudges or anything that tends to obscure a clean set of fingerprints
3of a horse's leg : free from curbs or bunches below the hock
4: free from drug addiction
clean
Medical Definition of clean
1: to brush (the teeth) with a cleanser (as a dentifrice)
2: to perform dental prophylaxis on (the teeth)
Law Dictionary
clean
Legal Definition of clean
: free of amendments or annotations
Learn More about clean
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for clean Spanish Central: Translation of clean Nglish: Translation of clean for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of clean for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clean
Seen and Heard
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