# cleanliness

/ˈkɫɛnɫinɪs/ (US) · /klˈɛnlɪnəs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cleanliness
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the state of being clean and free from dirt. It also refers to the habit of keeping yourself and your surroundings tidy.

For teachers: the state or quality of being clean or being kept clean. Refers both to physical hygiene and the habitual practice of maintaining order and sanitation.

## Examples

- The hospital maintains a high standard of cleanliness.
- The restaurant's reputation suffered after a health inspector raised concerns about the cleanliness of the kitchen.
- In many cultures, cleanliness is not merely a matter of hygiene but is deeply intertwined with spiritual purity and social respectability.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable in its abstract sense; often used with the verb 'maintain' or 'ensure'.

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