cleanse
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to make something very clean, especially your skin or a wound.
v.to make something thoroughly clean or pure; frequently used in medical contexts for wounds or in the beauty industry for skin care.
Simple“You should cleanse the cut with warm water before putting on a bandage.”
In context“The nurse carefully cleansed the area around the incision to ensure no bacteria would compromise the surgical site during the procedure.”
UsageThis verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Antonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
v.to remove bad feelings, guilt, or sin from someone's mind or soul.
v.to free someone or something from guilt, sin, or unpleasant emotions; often carries a religious or ritualistic tone.
Simple“He felt that a long walk in the mountains helped cleanse his mind of stress.”
In context“The ritual was intended to cleanse the participants of their past transgressions before they entered the sacred temple.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'of' or 'from'.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a period of time when you eat only certain foods to try to make your body healthier.
n.a process or period of time devoted to removing toxins from the body, typically through a specific diet or fast.
Simple“She decided to go on a three-day juice cleanse to feel more energetic.”
In context“Nutritionists often debate the actual physiological benefits of a dietary cleanse, suggesting that the body's organs manage detoxification naturally.”
UsageCommonly used in the phrase 'to go on a cleanse'.
Synonyms
From Middle English clensen, from Old English clǣnsian, from Proto-West Germanic klainisōn, from Proto-West Germanic klainī (“clean”). Cognate with West Frisian klinzgje (“to clean, cleanse”), archaic Dutch kleinzen (“to clean, purify”), Middle Low German klênsen, kleinsen, clensen (“to purify”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.