English Reference
Adjective

spotless

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈspɑtɫəs/ UK /spˈɒtləs/ spot·less Zoology

adj.perfectly clean and without any marks or dirt. You can use it to describe a room, a piece of clothing, or even someone's reputation.

adj.completely clean and free from dirt, stains, or impurities. Often used figuratively to describe a reputation or record that is beyond reproach.


SIMPLE

The kitchen was spotless after we finished cleaning.

CONTEXTUAL

She spent the entire morning scrubbing the floors until they were absolutely spotless for the guests.

COMPLEX

Despite the intense scrutiny of the investigation, his professional record remained spotless, proving that the allegations of misconduct were entirely unfounded.

Usage

Typically used as a gradable adjective, though it often functions as an absolute (meaning 'perfectly clean').

But when our operations team went into Caleb’s room, it was empty, absolutely spotless and he had left flowers and a card.

The Guardian· 20 Aug 2026

From Middle English spotles, equivalent to spot + -less.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English spotles
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated