Word
launder
Phoneticslaun·der, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫɔndɝ/
UK/lˈɔːndɐ/
Definition
v. to wash clothes or to clean something in a special way. In old stories, it can also mean to hide or cover up a crime.
v. to wash or clean, typically referring to the process of washing clothes. In a literary or archaic context, it may also mean to conceal or cover up a crime or wrongdoing.
Examples
“You should launder your clothes before the party.”
“The hotel staff is responsible for laundering all the linens and towels used by the guests.”
“The detective suspected that the suspect was trying to launder his ill-gotten gains through a series of shell companies and offshore accounts.”
Examples
simple
“You should launder your clothes before the party.”
contextual
“The hotel staff is responsible for laundering all the linens and towels used by the guests.”
complex
“The detective suspected that the suspect was trying to launder his ill-gotten gains through a series of shell companies and offshore accounts.”
Real-World Examples
“Investigators allege that the network used gas stations and other fuel businesses to launder illicit proceeds, channeling them through payment companies and investment vehicles that obscured their origins and ultimate ownership.” “The National Crime Agency (NCA) estimates that at least £1bn of criminal cash is laundered through UK High Street stores each year.” Etymology
Contracted from Middle English lavender, from Old French lavandiere, from Late Latin lavandera, from Latin lavō (“I wash”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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