# unclean

/ənˈkɫin/ (US) · /ʌnklˈiːn/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unclean
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

dirty or not pure. You use this to describe something that needs washing or something that is not allowed for religious reasons.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Often used in a literal sense for physical dirt, but carries a stronger, more formal or moral weight than the word 'dirty'.

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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.