# rinse

/ˈɹɪns/ (US) · /ɹˈɪns/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rinse
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

to wash something quickly with clean water to remove soap, dirt, or food. You usually do this as the last step of cleaning.

For teachers: to wash lightly with water, especially to remove soap or impurities. Often used as the final stage of a cleaning process.

## Examples

- Always rinse the dishes after washing them with soap.
- After swimming in the ocean, you should rinse your hair to remove the salt and sand.
- The laboratory protocol requires technicians to rinse the glassware three times with distilled water to ensure no chemical residue remains to contaminate the next experiment.

## Pitfalls

- Not "rinse the soap from the plate" but "rinse the plate" — While you can rinse soap 'off', the direct object of 'rinse' is usually the object being cleaned, not the substance being removed.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. It can also be used with 'off' or 'out' to specify the removal of a substance.

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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.