rinse

1 of 2

verb

ˈrin(t)s 

 dialectal  ˈrench

rinsed; rinsing

transitive verb

1

: to cleanse by flushing with liquid (such as water)

—often used with out

rinse out the mouth

2

a

: to cleanse (as of soap) by clear water

b

: to treat (hair) with a rinse

3

: to remove (dirt or impurities) by washing lightly or in water only

rinser noun

rinse

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act or process of rinsing

2

a

: liquid used for rinsing

b

: a solution that temporarily tints hair

Synonyms

Verb

• wash
• flush

Examples of rinse in a Sentence

Verb

I rinsed my face in the sink.

He washed the dishes and then rinsed them thoroughly.

The tools were rinsed in alcohol.

She rinsed the dirt off the lettuce.

He rinsed the soap out of the cup.

Noun

She dunked the dish in the rinse water.

Use sanitizing rinse on the scissors.

a bottle of hair rinse

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Be sure to rinse and drain them before using to remove excess starch and salt. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025

Apply the product to dry skin, massage in a circular motion, then rinse with warm water. —Izzy Baskette, People.com, 9 July 2025

Noun

And the duo who invented the drink at Brooklyn bar Maison Premiere pushed the cocktail even further, recruiting not a dash or a rinse but a full ounce of absinthe, and just for good measure, a spike of creme de menthe. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 11 July 2025

This method is your next line of defense if the rinse and soak method leaves some food behind. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 3 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English rincen, from Anglo-French rincer, alteration of Old French recincier, from Vulgar Latin *recentiare, from Latin recent-, recens fresh, recent

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rinse

• pre-rinse

Rhymes for rinse

• mince
• prince
• quince
• since
• wince
• convince
• evince

Kids Definition

rinse

1 of 2 verb

ˈrin(t)s 

rinsed; rinsing

1

a

: to wash lightly with water

rinse out your mouth

rinse the apple before you eat it

b

: to clean off with clear water the soap left over from washing

rinse the dishes

2

: to treat (hair) with a rinse

rinser noun

rinse

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act of rinsing

2

a

: liquid used for rinsing

b

: a solution that temporarily tints hair