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Definitions

clean

[kleen] / klin /
ADJECTIVE
not dirty; uncluttered
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blank bright clear elegant fresh graceful hygienic immaculate neat orderly pure simple spotless squeaky clean tidy unblemished washed
STRONG
cleansed laundered shining sparkling speckless stainless trim vanilla
WEAK
delicate dirtless faultless flawless neat as a button neat as a pin sanitary snowy spick-and-span taintless unpolluted unsmudged unsoiled unspotted unstained unsullied untarnished well-kept
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cluttered dirty disorderly disorganized filthy foul sloppy slovenly soiled tainted unclean unsterile untidy
STRONG
complicated contaminated
WEAK
adulterated besmirched incomplete indefinite muddled polluted stained tarnished
ADJECTIVE
sterile
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aseptic hygienic pure wholesome
STRONG
antiseptic clarified decontaminated disinfected purified sanitary sterilized
WEAK
unadulterated uncontaminated uninfected unpolluted unsullied
Antonyms
STRONGEST
contaminated dirty impure
WEAK
adulterated filthy foul polluted stained tarnished unsterile
ADJECTIVE
chaste, virtuous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decent good wholesome
STRONG
innocent moral upright
WEAK
blameless crimeless exemplary faultless guiltless honorable inculpable modest respectable sinless undefiled unguilty unsullied
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bad indecent unsuitable
STRONG
corrupt dishonest evil sinful
WEAK
adulterated besmirched defiled dirty filthy foul impure stained tarnished unchaste unvirtuous
ADJECTIVE
precise, sharp
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clear neat plain simple
STRONG
clear-cut correct trim uncluttered
WEAK
definite distinct legible readable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ambiguous imprecise indefinite muddled obscure obscured unclear unintelligible vague
WEAK
dirty embellished incomplete
ADJECTIVE
complete, thorough
Synonyms
STRONGEST
perfect
STRONG
absolute entire final total whole
WEAK
conclusive decisive unimpaired
Antonyms
STRONG
imperfect imprecise incomplete indefinite limited muddled part partial quick-and-dirty
VERB
to free of dirt and clutter
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bathe brush cleanse clear up disinfect dredge dust mop pick pick up rinse scrape scrub soak spruce up sweep vacuum wash wipe
STRONG
bath blot cauterize clarify deodorize deterge edulcorate erase expunge expurgate flush hackle launder lave neaten polish purge purify rake rasp refine sanitize scald scour shampoo soap sponge sterilize swab whisk winnow
WEAK
absterge clear the decks depurate do up elutriate rout out shake out straighten up tidy up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dirty worsen
WEAK
foul pollute soil stain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The pope has led millions in a prayer that explicitly asks God to wipe their record clean of all trespasses.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026

Cruise was at CinemaCon earlier in the week to preview a very different film, Digger, in which he plays a grey-haired oil baron who has to clean up his environmental mess.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

The pumpkin rice and peas, seasoned with thyme, from Dominica was a good complement to the Trinidadian curry shrimp, whose pot was licked clean.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

More than a quarter of that tonnage is heavy rare earth oxides, which are used in defense, clean energy, and technology applications.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

“Whatever. I’m going to call her. I’m going to tell her exactly what I think about her stealing money and leaving us to clean up this mess.”

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Vocabulary lists containing clean

Selection Vocabulary 2, Unit 1

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