clean

[[t]kli͟ːn[/t]]

♦♦

cleaner, cleanest, cleans, cleaning, cleaned

1) ADJ-GRADED Something that is clean is free from dirt or unwanted marks.

He wore his cleanest slacks, a clean shirt and a navy blazer...

Disease has not been a problem because clean water is available...

The metro is efficient and spotlessly clean...

Tiled kitchen floors are easy to keep clean.

Ant:

dirty

2) ADJ-GRADED You say that people or animals are clean when they keep themselves or their surroundings clean.

Ant:

dirty

3) ADJ-GRADED A clean fuel or chemical process does not create many harmful or polluting substances.

Fans of electric cars say they are clean, quiet and economical.

Ant:

dirty

Derived words:

cleanly ADV-GRADED ADV after v

Manufacturers are working with new fuels to find one that burns more cleanly than petrol.

4) V-ERG If you clean something or clean dirt off it, you make it free from dirt and unwanted marks, for example by washing or wiping it. If something cleans easily, it is easy to clean.

[V n] Her father cleaned his glasses with a paper napkin...

[V n prep/adv] It took half an hour to clean the orange powder off the bath...

[V n prep/adv] He cleaned the flakes away with his coat sleeve...

[V adv] Wood flooring not only cleans easily, but it's environmentally friendly into the bargain.

N-SING

Clean is also a noun.

Give the cooker a good clean.

5) VERB If you clean a room or house, you make the inside of it and the furniture in it free from dirt and dust.

With them also lived Mary Burinda, who cooked and cleaned...

[V n] She got up early and cleaned the flat.

Derived words:

cleaning N-UNCOUNT

I do the cleaning myself.

6) ADJ-GRADED (approval) If you describe something such as a book, joke, or lifestyle as clean, you think that they are not sexually immoral or offensive.

They're trying to show clean, wholesome, decent movies...

Flirting is good clean fun...

He became a model of clean living and Bible Belt virtues.

Ant:

dirty

7) ADJ-GRADED If someone has a clean reputation or record, they have never done anything illegal or wrong.

Accusations of tax evasion have tarnished his clean image...

You can hire these from most car hire firms, provided you have a clean driving licence.

8) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A clean game or fight is carried out fairly, according to the rules.

He called for a clean fight in the election and an end to `negative campaigning'...

It was a clean match, well refereed.

Syn:

fair

Ant:

dirty

Derived words:

cleanly ADV ADV after v, ADV -ed

The game had been cleanly fought.

9) ADJ-GRADED If you describe a flavour, smell, or colour as clean, you like it because it is light and fresh.

...the fresh, clean smell of the sea...

Soft tones of blue and grey create a clean, bright look.

10) ADJ: usu ADJ n A clean sheet of paper has no writing or drawing on it.

Take a clean sheet of paper and down the left-hand side make a list.

Syn:

blank

11) ADJ: ADJ n If you make a clean break or start, you end a situation completely and start again in a different way.

Voters have chosen to make a clean break with the communist past.

12) ADV: usu ADV prep/adv, also ADV before v (emphasis) Clean is used to emphasize that something was done completely. [INFORMAL]

It burned clean through the seat of my overalls...

The thief got clean away with the money...

I clean forgot everything I had prepared.

13) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A clean shape is simple and regular, with definite, smooth edges.

He admires the clean lines of Shaker furniture...

The drill should be slowly rotated to ensure a clean hole.

Ant:

ragged

Derived words:

cleanly ADV-GRADED ADV with v

Cut horizontally and cleanly through the stem.

14) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n You can describe an action as clean to indicate that it is carried out simply and quickly without mistakes.

They were more concerned about the dogs' welfare than a clean getaway...

Paul had arrested countless men like this one before and was expecting a clean, quick job.

Ant:

messy

Derived words:

cleanly ADV-GRADED ADV after v, ADV -ed

I struck the ball cleanly and my shot was on target.

15) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR about/on n If you come clean about something that you have been keeping secret, you admit it or tell people about it. [INFORMAL]

It would be better if you come clean about it and let her know what kind of man she is seeing.

16) to clean up your act → see act

a clean bill of health → see bill

to make a clean breast of it → see breast

to keep your nose clean → see nose

a clean slate, to wipe the slate clean → see slate

a clean sweep → see sweep

clean as a whistle → see whistle

Phrasal Verbs:

- clean out

- clean up

- clean up after