clean
- 01 A1 Beginner
v.to remove dirt, marks, or stains from something.
v.to remove impurities, dirt, or foreign matter from a surface or object. Transitive and intransitive uses are common.
Simple“I need to clean my glasses because I can't see through the smudges.”
In context“The restoration team had to clean the fresco with extreme caution to avoid damaging the original sixteenth-century pigments.”
- 02 A1 Beginner
v.to make a place neat and organized.
v.to organize or tidy a space by removing clutter and arranging items properly.
Simple“Please clean your room before your friends arrive for the party.”
In context“The staff worked quickly to clean the conference hall between sessions, ensuring every chair was aligned and all litter removed.”
- 03 A1 Beginner
adj.free from dirt, marks, or bad smells.
adj.free from dirt, pollutants, or contamination; in a state of hygiene.
Simple“Put on a clean shirt for the interview so you look professional.”
In context“The laboratory requires a clean environment to ensure that no outside bacteria interfere with the sensitive chemical cultures.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.not involved in anything illegal or dishonest.
adj.free from criminality, immorality, or prohibited substances; often used regarding a person's record or a sports drug test.
Simple“The driver had a clean record with no accidents for ten years.”
In context“The athlete insisted he was clean, pointing to the results of three independent drug tests conducted during the off-season.”
- 05 B1 Intermediate
adj.not causing much pollution or damage to nature.
adj.producing little or no pollution or hazardous waste; sustainable.
Simple“Solar power is a clean energy source that helps protect the planet.”
In context“The government is subsidising the transition to clean technologies to meet its carbon reduction targets by the end of the decade.”
Synonyms - 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.done in a smooth, simple, and perfect way.
adj.characterised by smooth lines, precise execution, or a lack of unnecessary complexity.
Simple“The knife made a clean cut through the thick rope.”
In context“The architect is known for the clean lines of her buildings, avoiding the decorative clutter common in traditional designs.”
- 07 A2 Elementary
n.the act of making something clean.
n.an instance or process of cleaning something. Usually follows 'give something a...'.
Simple“The kitchen needs a good clean after all that cooking.”
In context“The apartment was given a thorough clean before the new tenants moved in, leaving the floors polished and the windows sparkling.”
Synonymswashwipe down - 08 B2 Upper Intermediate
adv.completely or totally.
adv.entirely or completely; often used to emphasize that something was missed or forgotten.
Simple“I clean forgot to call my mother on her birthday.”
In context“The thief managed to get clean away before the police could set up a perimeter around the building.”
SynonymsAntonyms
Usage clean energy · clean air · clean water
From Middle English clene, clane, from Old English clǣne (“clean, pure”), from Proto-West Germanic klainī (“shining, fine, splendid, tender”), perhaps from Proto-Indo-European glēy- (“gleaming”), from Proto-Indo-European *gel- (“to gleam”). Cognate with Scots clean (“absolute, pure, clear, empty”) and clene, clane (“clean”), North Frisian klien (“small”), West Frisian klien (“small”), klean (“clean”), Dutch klein (“small”), Low German kleen (“small”), German klein (“small”), Swedish klen (“weak, feeble, delicate”), Icelandic klénn (“poor, feeble, petty, snug, puny, cheesy, lame”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.