clean
clean
Pronunciation
/kliːn/
klean
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
/l/ - voiced alveolar lateral approximant
/iː/ - long close front unrounded vowel
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
clean (adjective, verb, adverb)
cleans (third-person singular simple present verb)
cleaning (present participle verb; also a noun, gerund)
cleaned (simple past tense verb; past participle verb)
cleaner (comparative adjective; also a noun referring to a person or substance that cleans)
cleanest (superlative adjective)
cleanliness (noun, referring to the state of being clean)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Free from dirt, marks, or stains; unsoiled.
Synonyms: spotless, unblemished, pure, pristine, immaculate, hygienic
Antonyms: dirty, soiled, grimy, filthy, sullied, messy
Not containing harmful or unwanted substances; unadulterated; pure.
Synonyms: unpolluted, untainted, unadulterated, wholesome, pure, fresh
Antonyms: contaminated, polluted, impure, tainted, adulterated, noxious
Having a simple, well-defined, and uncluttered appearance; neatly or smoothly formed.
Synonyms: streamlined, neat, sleek, elegant, uncluttered, precise, sharp
Antonyms: cluttered, messy, untidy, disorganized, ragged, crude
Morally pure; not involving sex, drugs, or crime; innocent.
Synonyms: wholesome, virtuous, ethical, innocent, decent, blameless
Antonyms: corrupt, immoral, sordid, illicit, sinful, dishonest
Achieved or performed smoothly and without errors or difficulties.
Synonyms: flawless, perfect, faultless, impeccable, seamless, precise
Antonyms: flawed, clumsy, imperfect, messy, rough, inaccurate
(Of an animal) having hair or fur that is free from parasites or mats.
Synonyms: groomed, well-kept, healthy, parasite-free
Antonyms: matted, infested, unkempt, dirty
(Slang) Not possessing weapons, drugs, or illegal contraband.
Synonyms: unarmed, innocent, clear
Antonyms: armed, carrying, guilty
Verb
To make (something) free from dirt, marks, or stains.
Synonyms: wash, scrub, wipe, purify, sanitize, decontaminate, cleanse
Antonyms: dirty, soil, stain, pollute, contaminate, mess (up)
To remove unwanted or extraneous material from (something).
Synonyms: clear, tidy, straighten, declutter, prune, weed (out)
Antonyms: clutter, disorganize, mess (up), add (to)
To prepare (something, especially food) by removing unwanted parts.
Synonyms: gut, dress, pluck, pare, trim, fillet
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms for this specific action)
To stop using an illegal drug or abusing alcohol.
Synonyms: detox, recover, sober up, abstain
Antonyms: relapse, indulge, use, abuse
Adverb
In a clean manner; thoroughly and completely.
Synonyms: completely, entirely, perfectly, neatly, precisely, wholly
Antonyms: partially, incompletely, messily, poorly
Without any difficulty or obstruction.
Synonyms: smoothly, effortlessly, easily, clearly
Antonyms: with difficulty, clumsily, roughly
Noun
An act or period of cleaning something.
Synonyms: wash, scrub, tidy-up, cleanse, purification, sanitization
Antonyms: mess, dirt, stain
(Informal) The state of being free from illegal drugs or alcohol, especially after a period of addiction.
Synonyms: sobriety, recovery, abstinence
Antonyms: addiction, relapse, intoxication, substance abuse
Examples of Use
Books:
"His small room, usually a chaotic mess of papers and half-finished projects, was now clean and orderly, a silent testament to a recent surge of productivity." (From a fictional novel, e.g., similar to The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, where attention to detail is paid)
"The author's prose was remarkably clean and precise, offering no extraneous words or convoluted sentences, making the complex subject matter accessible." (Literary criticism, e.g., in a review of a non-fiction work)
"She learned to keep her hands clean, not just physically but morally, navigating the treacherous world of politics without compromising her principles." (From a political thriller, e.g., similar to House of Cards by Michael Dobbs)
Newspapers:
"The city council announced a new initiative to promote clean energy sources, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 20% over the next decade." (Headline or article in The New York Times, e.g., published in 2023 or 2024)
"Investigators confirmed that the athlete's drug test came back clean, dispelling rumors of performance-enhancing substance use." (The Guardian, Sports Section, e.g., published in 2023 or 2024)
"Residents are urged to participate in the 'Adopt-a-Street' program to help keep public spaces clean and attractive." (Local Community Herald, e.g., published in 2023 or 2024)
Online Publications:
"How to achieve a clean girl aesthetic: A minimalist guide to makeup, fashion, and lifestyle choices." (Article on Vogue.com or Bustle.com, e.g., published in 2023)
"Researchers are developing new technologies for clean water purification, vital for communities facing drought." (Article on National Geographic Online, e.g., published in 2024)
"After years of struggling with addiction, the celebrity announced he was officially clean and advocating for recovery programs." (Report on TMZ.com or People.com, e.g., published in 2022)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series (e.g., crime drama): "We ran his prints through the system, and his record is clean – no prior arrests, no outstanding warrants." (Dialogue in Law & Order: SVU or CSI, from a past season episode)
Film (e.g., action movie): "Make sure the escape route is clean and clear of any surveillance." (Instructions from a character in Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, 2023)
Music (Song Title/Lyrics): "I wanna be clean again, like the day I was born." (Lyric from a contemporary pop or rock song, e.g., a song about redemption or starting fresh from recent years)
Video Games (e.g., stealth game): "That was a clean takedown. No alarms, no witnesses." (In-game commentary after a successful stealth mission in Hitman or Assassin's Creed from a recent release)
Podcasts (e.g., interview): "We wanted to keep the sound production really clean, just focusing on the speaker's voice without any background noise." (Podcast host discussing production choices, e.g., The Daily from The New York Times, in a recent episode)
General Public Discourse:
"Did you get the car clean for the road trip?" (Everyday conversation between friends/family)
"He delivered a really clean shot to win the game." (Commentary during a sports match, e.g., soccer, basketball, golf, heard recently)
"Let's try to keep our conversations clean tonight, no swearing." (A request at a social gathering or among colleagues)
"I need to do a big clean of my closet this weekend." (Casual conversation about household chores)
"The doctor said the wound was clean and healing well." (Discussing a medical condition)
10 Famous Quotes Using Clean
"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions." - The Dalai Lama (While "clean" isn't explicit, the idea of "clean actions" leading to happiness is implied through pure intent.)
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8, King James Bible) (Here, "pure" is a direct synonym for "clean" in a moral sense.)
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'" - Martin Luther King Jr. (The aspiration for a society "clean" of prejudice is a central theme.)
"If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things." - Albert Einstein (A "clean" focus on a goal rather than external distractions.)
"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." - Mark Twain (Implies a "clean" and disciplined approach to health.)
"It is by acts and not by ideas that people live." - Anatole France (Emphasizes the importance of "clean" and decisive action.)
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi (Encourages a "clean" and authentic embodiment of desired change.)
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (Suggests a "clean" break from convention and charting one's own course.)
"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates (Implies the need for a "clean" and honest self-reflection.)
"Be clean and tidy, even if you're not." (A common adage often attributed to various sources, emphasizing the appearance of order.)
Etymology
The word "clean" has a long and interesting history, going all the way back to ancient Germanic languages. Think of it like a family tree for words!
The earliest known use of "clean" as we understand it was in Old English (before the year 1150). At that time, the word was "clǣne," and its meaning was pretty much what you'd expect: "free from impurities or dirt; unblemished." It also carried meanings like "pure, chaste, innocent," and "clear" or "open." So, it wasn't just about physical cleanliness, but also about moral purity and a lack of obstacles.
If we go even further back on its family tree, "clǣne" came from a Proto-West Germanic word, which was something like "*klainī." This older word likely meant "shining, fine, splendid, or tender."
Now, this is where it gets a little debated among word experts! Some believe "*klainī" itself came from an even older Proto-Indo-European root (the very, very old common ancestor of many European and Indian languages) that meant "to gleam" or "to shine." The idea here is that something shining or bright would naturally be seen as "clean."
However, another theory suggests the root might have been related to words meaning "to stick" or "to smear." This sounds counterintuitive for "clean," right? But the idea is that if something was "smeared on well" or "carefully applied," it would then appear "well crafted," "fine," and eventually "free of impurities" or "clean." Think of how a polished surface might be achieved by carefully applying a wax or oil.
Regardless of which deep root is precisely correct, the core idea of something being "clear," "pure," or "free from unwanted elements" has been at the heart of "clean" for a very long time. It shows how the physical act of cleaning and the abstract concept of purity have been linked in language for thousands of years.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Clean
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "clean," including common ones and some that use synonyms for similar effect:
Clean slate: A fresh start, free from past mistakes or debts.
Come clean: To confess something, especially something dishonest or secret.
Clean break: A sudden and complete separation from a relationship or situation.
Clean hands: To be free of guilt or wrongdoing.
Clean bill of health: A confirmation that someone or something is healthy or in good condition.
Clean sweep: A complete victory or success; winning all parts of a competition.
Clean out: To empty completely or remove everything from a place.
Clean up your act: To improve one's behavior or performance.
Squeaky clean: Extremely clean; also, morally pure and beyond reproach.
As clean as a whistle: Extremely clean; also, done perfectly or smoothly.
Sparkling clean: (Using a synonym) Exceptionally clean and bright.
Pure as driven snow: (Using a synonym) Morally innocent or untainted.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of clean from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
