TOP

Definition of clean verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    clean

     verb
    verb
    NAmE//klin//
     
    Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they clean
     
     he / she / it cleans
     
     past simple cleaned
     
     -ing form cleaning
     
     
    jump to other results
  1. 1[transitive, intransitive] clean (something) to make something free from dirt or dust by washing or rubbing it to clean the windows/bathroom/floor to clean a woundThe villa is cleaned twice a week. I spent all day cooking and cleaning. see dry-clean, spring-cleaning
  2. 2[intransitive] to become clean This oven cleans easily (= is easy to clean).
  3. 3[transitive] clean something = dry-clean This coat is filthy. I'll have it cleaned.
  4. 4[transitive] clean something to remove the inside parts of a fish, chicken, etc. before you cook it Clean the fish and remove the backbone.
    5. Thesaurusclean
    • wash
    • rinse
    • cleanse
    • dry-clean
    These 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 house is cleaned twice a week.
    • wash to remove dirt from something using water and usually soap:He quickly washed his hands and face. These jeans need to be washed.
    • 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:Rinse the cooked pasta with boiling water. Make sure you rinse out all the soap.
    • cleanse to clean something or make it pure, especially 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/cleanse 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
    Idioms
      clean house
       
      jump to other results
    1. 1to remove people or things that are not necessary or wanted The new manager said he wanted to clean house.
    2. 2to make your house clean
    clean up your act (informal)
     
    jump to other results
    to start behaving in a moral or responsible way He cleaned up his act and got a job.     Phrasal Verbsclean offclean outclean up
See clean in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: clean

Nearby words