# cleansing

/ˈkɫɛnzɪŋ/ (US) · /klˈɛnzɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cleansing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. cleaning the skin

noun · CEFR B2

the process of cleaning your skin thoroughly, especially your face.

For teachers: the act of removing dirt, oil, and cosmetics from the skin, typically as part of a dermatological routine.

- A deep cleansing of your face before bed helps prevent skin problems.
- The dermatologist recommended a gentle daily cleansing to remove environmental pollutants without stripping the skin of its natural oils.

### 2. removing bad things

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of getting rid of something unwanted or bad from a place or group.

For teachers: the removal of undesirable elements, people, or influences from a specific environment or organisation.

- The new manager began a cleansing of the department to remove lazy workers.
- The political party underwent a thorough cleansing of its ranks following the corruption scandal that nearly destroyed its reputation.

### 3. having a cleaning effect

adjective · CEFR B2

describing something that makes you or a place clean.

For teachers: possessing the quality or power to clean or purify.

- She used a cleansing cream to wash away her heavy stage makeup.
- The ritual involved a cleansing fire, which the participants believed would burn away the misfortunes of the previous year.

## Examples

- The daily cleansing of the kitchen takes twenty minutes.
- Regular cleansing of the air filters improves the quality of the indoor environment significantly.
- The ritual cleansing of the sacred space involved burning incense and washing the floors with purified water before the ceremony began.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.