clean

Syllabification: (clean)

Pronunciation: /klēn/

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Definition of clean

adjective

1free from dirt, marks, or stains:the room was spotlessly clean keep the wound clean
having been washed since last worn or used:a clean blouse
[attributive] (of paper) not yet marked by writing or drawing:he copied the directions onto a clean sheet of paper
(of a person) attentive to personal hygiene:by nature he was clean and neat
free from pollutants or unpleasant substances:we will create a cleaner, safer environment
free from or producing relatively little radioactive contamination.

2morally uncontaminated; pure; innocent:clean living
not sexually offensive or obscene:it’s all good clean fun even when clean, his verses are very funny
showing or having no record of offenses or crimes:a clean driving license is essential for the job
played or done according to the rules:it was a good clean fight
[predic.] informal not possessing or containing anything illegal, especially drugs or stolen goods:I searched him and his luggage, and he was clean
[predic.] informal (of a person) not taking or having taken drugs or alcohol.
free from ceremonial defilement, according to Mosaic Law and similar religious codes.

3free from irregularities; having a smooth edge or surface:a clean fracture of the leg
having a simple, well-defined, and pleasing shape:the clean lines and pared-down planes of modernism
(of an action) smoothly and skillfully done:I still hadn’t made a clean takeoff
(of a taste, sound, or smell) giving a clear and distinctive impression to the senses; sharp and fresh:clean, fresh, natural flavors
(of timber) free from knots.

adverb

1so as to be free from dirt, marks, or unwanted matter:the room had been washed clean

2 informal used to emphasize the completeness of a reported action, condition, or experience:he was knocked clean off his feet I clean forgot her birthday

verb

[with object]

make (something or someone) free of dirt, marks, or mess, especially by washing, wiping, or brushing:clean your teeth properly after meals chair covers should be easy to clean we cleaned Uncle Jim up and made him presentable [no object]:he always expected other people to clean up after him (as noun cleaning)Anne will help with the cleaning
remove the innards of (fish or poultry) prior to cooking.

Phrases

(as) clean as a whistle: see whistle.
clean bill of health: see bill of health.
clean someone's clock: informal give someone a beating:he went wild and cleaned everybody’s clock down there in the dugout; defeat or surpass someone decisively.
clean house: do housework.; eliminate corruption or inefficiency:unless our organization cleans house, it will be difficult to raise funds
clean one's plate: eat up all the food put on one’s plate.
a clean sweep
clean up one's act: informal begin to behave in a better way, especially by giving up alcohol, drugs, or illegal activities:the casino industry is bent on cleaning up its act
come clean: informal be completely honest; keep nothing hidden:the company has refused to come clean about its pollution record
have clean hands: be uninvolved and blameless with regard to an immoral act:no one involved in the conflict has clean hands
keep one's hands clean: not involve oneself in an immoral act.
keep one's nose clean: see nose.
make a clean breast of something (or make a clean breast of it): confess fully one’s mistakes or wrongdoings.
make a clean job of something: informal do something thoroughly.
wipe the slate clean: see wipe.

Phrasal Verbs

clean someone out: informal use up or take all someone’s money:they were cleaned out by the Englishman at the baccarat table
clean up: make things or an area clean or neat:he was in the kitchen, cleaning up; informal make a substantial gain or profit.; win all the prizes available in a sporting competition or series of events:the Germans cleaned up at Wimbledon
clean something up: restore order or morality to:the police chief was given the job of cleaning up a notorious district

Derivatives

cleanable
cleanish
cleanness

Origin:

Old English clǣne; related to Dutch and German klein 'small'

clean in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of clean in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

clean

adjective

adverb

verb

Phrases

(as) clean as a whistle

clean bill of health

clean someone's clock

clean house

clean one's plate

a clean sweep

clean up one's act

come clean

have clean hands

keep one's hands clean

keep one's nose clean

make a clean breast of something (or make a clean breast of it)

make a clean job of something

wipe the slate clean

Phrasal Verbs

clean someone out

clean up

clean something up

Derivatives

cleanable

cleanish

cleanness

Origin:

clean in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for clean

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