Word
unclean
Phoneticsun·clean, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈkɫin/
UK/ʌnklˈiːn/
Definition
adj. dirty or not pure. You use this to describe something that needs washing or something that is not allowed for religious reasons.
adj. soiled or contaminated; not clean. In a religious or ritual context, refers to being spiritually impure or prohibited by law.
Examples
“The kitchen floor was unclean after the party.”
“The health inspector closed the restaurant because the food preparation surfaces were found to be unclean.”
“In many ancient cultures, certain animals were considered unclean and could not be eaten or touched without undergoing a ritual purification process.”
Examples
simple
“The kitchen floor was unclean after the party.”
contextual
“The health inspector closed the restaurant because the food preparation surfaces were found to be unclean.”
complex
“In many ancient cultures, certain animals were considered unclean and could not be eaten or touched without undergoing a ritual purification process.”
Usage
Often used in a literal sense for physical dirt, but carries a stronger, more formal or moral weight than the word 'dirty'.
Etymology
From Middle English unclene, from Old English unclǣne, equivalent to un- + clean.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/unclean