spick-and-span

adjective

ˌspik-ən(d)-ˈspan How to pronounce spick-and-span (audio)
ˌspik-ᵊŋ-
variants or spic-and-span
1
2
: spotlessly clean

Examples of spick-and-span in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the otherwise ramshackle dusty town, sits nestled a spick-and-span health clinic run by the Catholic Daughters of Saint Anne. Foreign Affairs, 22 Mar. 2016 This compound has antimicrobial properties that leave your grill spick-and-span. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 21 June 2023 Courteney Cox is keeping her Walk of Fame star — and those belonging to her famous friends — spick-and-span! Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2023 That’s where this spick-and-span guide comes in. The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 19 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spick-and-span.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

short for spick-and-span-new, from obsolete English spick spike + English and + span-new

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spick-and-span was in 1665

Dictionary Entries Near spick-and-span

Cite this Entry

“Spick-and-span.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spick-and-span. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spick-and-span

adjective
variants or spic-and-span
ˌspik-ən-ˈspan
1
: quite new and unused
2
: very clean and neat
kept the cabin spick-and-span

More from Merriam-Webster on spick-and-span

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