unclean

adjective

un·​clean ˌən-ˈklēn 

1

: dirty, filthy

2

: morally or spiritually impure

3

: infected with a harmful supernatural contagion

also : prohibited by ritual law for use or contact

4

: lacking in clarity and precision of conception or execution

uncleanness

ˌən-ˈklēn-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of unclean

• corrupt
• sick
• degraded

Examples of unclean in a Sentence

Many of their health problems were caused by unclean living conditions.

there's something unclean about this whole business

Recent Examples on the Web

Navarro explains that this is most likely because people commonly touch their spice jars with unclean hands after handling raw meat and don’t sanitize the containers after the fact. —Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 14 Mar. 2026

The tabletop can opener was unclean. —Sacbee.com, 13 Mar. 2026

The visit was prompted by a non-illness complaint regarding general facility sanitation, cross-contamination, unclean food-contact surfaces, and employee hygiene. —Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 11 Mar. 2026

Its answer to Fading West’s arbitration lawsuit also accuses Fading West of breach of contract, fraud and unclean hands, without further explanation. —Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for unclean

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• amine
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between

Kids Definition

unclean

adjective

un·​clean ˌən-ˈklēn 

1

: not pure and innocent : wicked

2

: prohibited by religious law for use or contact

3

: dirty entry 1 sense 1, filthy

uncleanness

-ˈklēn-nəs 

noun