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clean

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The definition of clean is not dirty, or sober, or off of drugs, or morally pure.

(adjective)

An example of clean is a room that has just been vacuumed and dusted.
An example of clean os someone who is in Alcoholics Anonymous and who has been sober for four months.
An example of clean is a joke that has no sexual connotations or adult material.

To clean is to take action to make something not dirty.

(verb)

An example of clean is to vacuum or dust.

See clean in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

1. free from dirt, contamination, impurities, etc.; unsoiled; unstained
2. free from disease, infection, radioactivity, etc.
☆ producing little immediate fallout: said of nuclear weapons
producing few or no pollutants; non-polluting: clean energy
recently laundered; fresh and unused
1. morally pure; sinless
2. not obscene or indecent: a clean joke
fair; sportsmanlike: a rough but clean contest
keeping oneself or one's surroundings clean; neat and tidy
1. shapely; well-formed: a clean profile
2. trim; not ornate: clean architectural lines
skillful; deft: a clean stroke
having no obstructions, flaws, or roughnesses; clear; regular: a clean drain
entire; complete; thorough: a clean sweep
having few corrections; legible: clean copy for the printer
with nothing in it or on it: clean pockets, a clean sheet of paper
☆ Slang
1. not carrying a weapon, illegal drugs, etc.
2. innocent of an alleged crime
3. free from the use or presence of or from addiction to narcotics or other illicit drugs
Bible
1. free from ceremonial defilement
2. fit for food: said of certain animals

Origin: ME clene < OE clæne, clean, pure < IE *ĝ(e)lēi- < base *ĝel-, to gleam > OIr gel, gleaming, white, OHG kleini, gleaming, bright, fine (> Ger klein, small)

adverb

in a clean manner
Informal completely; wholly: clean forgotten

Origin: OE clæne

transitive verb

to make clean
to remove (dirt, impurities, etc.) in making clean
to empty or clear
to prepare (fish, fowl, etc.) for cooking
☆ Slang to take away or use up the money or possessions of: often with out
Weight Lifting to lift (a barbell) from the floor to the shoulders in one continuous movement

intransitive verb

to be made clean
to perform the act of cleaning

Related Forms:

cleanable adjective
cleanness noun

See clean in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective clean·er, clean·est

Free from dirt, stain, or impurities; unsoiled.
a. Free from foreign matter or pollution; unadulterated: clean air; clean drinking water.
b. Not infected: a clean wound.
a. Producing relatively little pollution: a clean fuel; a cleaner, more efficient engine.
b. Producing relatively little radioactive fallout or contamination: a clean nuclear bomb.
Having no imperfections or blemishes; regular or even: a clean edge; a smooth, clean joint.
a. Not ornate or intricate; spare: “the clean lines and exquisite proportions of early modernism” (Judith Thurman).
b. Sharply defined; clear-cut: a clean outline against the sky.
Free from clumsiness; deft; adroit: a clean throw.
Devoid of restrictions or encumbrances: a clean bill of health.
Thorough; complete: a clean getaway.
Having few alterations or corrections; legible: clean manuscript.
Blank: a clean page.
a. Morally pure; virtuous: led a clean life.
b. Having no marks of discredit or offense: a clean voting record.
Fit for all readers, listeners, or audiences; not ribald or obscene: a clean joke.
Honest or fair: a clean fighter; a clean competition.
Slang
a. Not carrying concealed weapons or drugs.
b. Innocent of a suspected crime.
Informal
a. Free from narcotics addiction.
b. Showing no evidence of using banned or performance-enhancing substances: proven to be clean before the race.

adverb cleaner, cleanest

So as to be unsoiled: wash the dishes clean.
In a fair manner: played the game clean.
In a clean or nonpolluting manner: a fuel that burns clean.
Informal Entirely; wholly: clean forgot the appointment.

verb cleaned, clean·ing, cleans

verb, transitive

To rid of dirt, rubbish, or impurities: clean a room; clean a suit.
To get rid of (impurities or dirt, for example); remove: cleaned up the trash; cleaned off the stains.
To prepare (fowl or other food) for cooking, as by removing the entrails or fat.
To remove the contents from; empty: cleaned my plate.
Sports To lift (a barbell) from the floor to the shoulders in one motion.

verb, intransitive

To undergo or perform an act of cleaning.

Phrasal Verbs: clean out To rid of dirt, rubbish, or impurities. To empty of contents or occupants. Informal To drive or force out: cleaned out the incompetent workers. Slang To deprive completely of money or material wealth: The robbery cleaned us out. clean up To make clean or orderly. To make oneself clean, neat, or presentable. To dispose of; settle: cleaned up the unpaid bills. Slang To make a large profit, often in a short period of time: cleaned up during the bull market.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English clene

Origin: , from Old English clǣne

Related Forms: