rinse

verb \ ˈrin(t)s , dialectal ˈrench \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Examples: rinse in a Sentence

Definition of rinse

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

See rinse defined for English-language learners

See rinse defined for kids

Examples of rinse in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of rinse from the Web

The fish were then rinsed and allowed to recover, and the holding water was subsequently tested for thiocyanate.

— National Geographic, "‘Holy Grail' Test for Illegal Cyanide-Caught Aquarium Fish May Be Fatally Flawed," 5 June 2018
In some areas, rain rinsed ash off the leaves, and the full extent of the damage was not yet clear, the association said.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Scores dead, rescuers struggle as Guatemala volcano spews hot mud flow," 4 June 2018
To freeze berries, remove the caps, gently rinse and pat dry with paper towel.

— darlene zimmerman, Detroit Free Press, "Make a salsa with strawberries instead of tomatoes," 2 June 2018
Wash thoroughly with the soap (and sham- poo) provided, then rinse completely (the wash- cloth, too), and tidy up your shower area.

— hanya yanagihara, Town & Country, "The Transporting Daily Ritual of the Japanese Evening Bath," 8 Dec. 2017
From there, each limb is unwrapped, washed, rinsed, and rewrapped.

— jessica leigh mattern, Woman's Day, "The Way Babies Are Bathed After Birth Is About to Change Forever," 2 Oct. 2017
At session’s end, another shower rinses off the salt.

— kathi santora, baltimoresun.com, "Remedy Wellness offers flotation therapy as unconventional approach to pain relief," 25 May 2018
Just smooth it over clean, damp hair for 10 minutes once a week, then rinse out and shampoo and condition as usual.

— alex warner, Marie Claire, "Drew Barrymore Swears This $28 Hair Product Fixed Her Damaged, Dyed Hair," 24 May 2018
Washed and rinsed pans with soap but didn't use sanitizer.

— angel mendoza, azcentral, "Backed-up wastewater, old pill bottles: 4 restaurants on this week's inspections list," 23 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rinse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of rinse

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year