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

• 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

Several areas within the facility were unclean and improperly maintained, posing a potential contamination risk. —Sacbee.com, 10 Sep. 2025

However, like everything else at this stand, these curds have a slight bitter astringency that may result from unclean frying oil. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 26 Aug. 2025

Katadyn BeFree Water Filter Bottle Clean water is non-negotiable when exploring the backcountry—one sip of unclean water can have life-threatening consequences. —Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2025

Historically, Black women have disproportionately faced related charges of being physically and biologically unclean. —Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2025

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