clean Definition
- 1free from dirt, marks, or stains
- 2morally uncontaminated; pure; innocent
- 3thorough; complete; leaving nothing out
Using clean: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "clean" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She always keeps her house clean and tidy.
Example
The doctor said the wound was clean and healing well.
Example
He has a clean record with no criminal convictions.
Example
The company made a clean break from its previous management.
clean Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for clean
Antonyms for clean
Idioms Using clean
completely clean or pure, often used to describe something that has been thoroughly cleaned or a person who has done nothing wrong
Example
After the maid finished cleaning, the house was as clean as a whistle.
Example
The lawyer argued that his client had clean hands and was not responsible for the crime.
Example
After years of hiding the truth, he finally decided to make a clean breast of it and tell his family what had happened.
Phrases with clean
a report or assurance that someone or something is healthy or in good condition
Example
After the medical check-up, the doctor gave him a clean bill of health.
Example
After serving his sentence, he was given a clean slate and allowed to start over.
Example
The team made a clean sweep of the competition, winning every game.
Origins of clean
from Old English 'clǣne', meaning 'free from dirt, filth, or impurities'
Summary: clean in Brief
The adjective 'clean' [kliːn] describes something that is free from dirt, marks, or stains. It can also refer to moral purity or completeness. Examples include 'She always keeps her house clean and tidy,' and 'The company made a clean break from its previous management.' Phrases like 'clean bill of health' and idioms like 'clean hands' extend the concept of cleanliness to health and morality.