Definition of cleanse verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

cleanse

verb

/klenz/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they cleanse	/klenz/ /klenz/
he / she / it cleanses	/ˈklenzɪz/ /ˈklenzɪz/
past simple cleansed	/klenzd/ /klenzd/
past participle cleansed	/klenzd/ /klenzd/
-ing form cleansing	/ˈklenzɪŋ/ /ˈklenzɪŋ/

[transitive, intransitive] cleanse (something) to clean your skin or a wound
- a cleansing cream
- The wound was then cleansed and dressed.
- a lotion to cleanse the face/skin
Synonyms clean
cleanwash ▪ rinse ▪ cleanse ▪ dry-cleanThese words all mean to remove dirt from something, especially by using water and/or soap.
clean to remove dirt or dust from something, especially by using water or chemicals:
The villa is cleaned twice a week.
Have you cleaned your teeth?
This coat is filthy. I’ll have it cleaned (= dry-cleaned).
wash to remove dirt from something using water and usually soap:
He quickly washed his hands and face.
These jeans need washing.
rinse to remove dirt, etc. from something using clean water only, not soap; to remove the soap from something with clean water after washing it:
Make sure you rinse all the soap out.
cleanse to clean your skin or a wound.dry-clean to clean clothes using chemicals instead of water.
Patterns
- to clean/wash/rinse/cleanse something in/with something
- to clean/wash/rinse something from something
- to clean/wash/cleanse a wound
- to clean/wash the car/floor
- to wash/rinse your hair
- to have something cleaned/washed/dry-cleaned
Topics Healthcarec1
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- thoroughly
- gently
preposition
- of
See full entry
[transitive] cleanse somebody (of/from something) (literary) to take away somebody’s guilty feelings or sin
- She felt cleansed of her sins after confession.

adjective

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