cleaner; cleanest
1
: free from dirt, marks, etc. : not dirty
a clean floor
This table isn't clean. There's a sticky spot where something spilled.
He keeps a very clean house.
The janitor does a good job of keeping the office clean.
clean laundry/socks/towels/sheets
I wiped the baby's face clean.
2
: tending to keep clean
He's a clean young man.
Cats are very clean animals.
3
a
: free from pollution or other dangerous substances
clean air/water
b
: not causing pollution
Solar power provides clean energy.
a clean fuel
4
a
: not yet used
a clean [=blank, fresh] piece/sheet of paper
b
of a document
: not having any mistakes
We need a clean copy of the document.
5
: not infected
a clean wound
6
: pleasingly simple
I like the clean simplicity of the chair's design.
She wore a formal wool suit with clean lines.
7
: having edges that are straight and smooth
a clean cut
The vase was broken, but it was a clean break and easily repaired with a little glue.
8
: completely and quickly done
The bank robbers made a clean getaway.
When he left home, he made a clean break with the past. [=he completely separated himself from everything that had been part of his life]
9
sports
: done in a skillful and impressive way without mistakes or awkwardness
a clean dive/catch/hit
The gymnast made a clean landing.
10
: not showing evidence of any broken rules or laws
She has a clean driving record.
11
a
: not connected with or involving anything illegal or morally wrong
a clean candidate
They believe in hard work and clean living.
The party was good, clean fun.
b
: not referring to anything sexual or offensive
Only clean jokes, please. There are children here.
clean language
12
not used before a noun
: no longer using drugs : not addicted to drugs
He's been clean for five years.
clean and sober
13
not used before a noun informal
: not carrying any weapons, drugs, etc.
All visitors to the prison are searched to make sure they're clean.
I checked her; she's clean.
cleans; cleaned; cleaning
1
a
: to make (something) clean : to remove dirt, marks, etc., from (something)
The carpet needs to be cleaned.
clean your fingernails
clean [=brush] your teeth
clean [=wash] the windows
They divide household duties so that she cleans and her husband cooks.
b
: to become clean
The pan has a surface that cleans easily. [=that is easy to clean]
2
: to make (something, such as a room) neat and orderly
Clean your room.
3
: to remove the organs from the inside of (an animal) before cooking
They cleaned the fish and cooked them on the campfire.
skin and clean a rabbit/deer
informal
: all the way : completely or entirely
Somehow, the top of the machine came clean off.
The nail went clean through the wall.
The fish were jumping clean out of the water.
informal
: an act of removing dirt from something
She gave the tub a good clean. [=she cleaned the tub thoroughly]
Cite this Entry
“Clean.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/clean. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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