rinse

1 of 2

verb

ˈrin(t)s How to pronounce rinse (audio)
 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
It's rinsed, dried, and placed in a roasting pan. Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025 Draining and rinsing them can lower sodium by about 30 to 40%. Merve Ceylan, Health, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
To reduce sodium further, rinse beans, lentils, and vegetables before using. Merve Ceylan, Health, 14 Oct. 2025 The system keeps the soak at a perfect 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38°C) – the ideal warmth for relaxation – and slightly lowers the temperature during the rinse cycle for a gentle refresh. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rinse

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rinse was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rinse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rinse. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

rinse

1 of 2 verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on rinse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!