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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.

I sat through too many financial stability briefings to think this problem has a clean solution.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

“I feel that those sarcastic remarks are entirely uncalled for,” a self-professed “admirer of clean sports” wrote in a letter published in the Berkshire Eagle after a Lenox basketball game in 1925.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

“We think that it’s one of the key parts of our portfolio going forward as we move towards completely clean energy.”

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

The project involving 25 buses was aimed at being the future of clean public transportation, with the city billed as the global hub for hydrogen-powered buses.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

But she helped Nim clean the sand out with fresh coconut juice, and then Fred hinted that they ought to eat the coconut now they’d opened it, so they had it for lunch with bananas.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr

Vocabulary lists containing clean

Selection Vocabulary 2, Unit 1

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