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   Clean

   /klēn/

   

   adjective

   • 1. free from dirt, marks, or stains: "the room was spotlessly clean" Similar washedscrubbedcleansedcleanedpolishedspotlessunsoiledunstainedunspottedunsulliedunblemishedimmaculatepristinespecklessdirt-freehygienicsanitarydisinfectedsterilizedsterileasepticdecontaminatedhealthypurewhitewhiter than whitelaunderedinformal:squeaky cleanas clean as a whistleOpposite dirty
   • ▪ having been washed since last worn or used: "a clean blouse"
   • ▪ (of paper) not yet marked by writing or drawing: "he copied the directions onto a clean sheet of paper" Similar blankemptybareclearplainwhiteunusednewpristinefreshunmarkedunfilleduntouchedOpposite used
   • ▪ (of a person) attentive to personal hygiene: "by nature he was clean and neat"
   • ▪ free from pollutants or unpleasant substances: "we will create a cleaner, safer environment" Similar pureclearfreshcrisprefreshingunpolluteduncontaminateduntaintedunmixedunadulterateddistilledpurifiedOpposite polluted
   • ▪ (of a fuel, source of energy, or form of technology) producing relatively few or no net emissions of greenhouse gases: "significant policy measures to boost clean energy were lacking"
   • ▪ relating to a diet consisting primarily of unprocessed and unrefined food: "you have to eat clean foods to change your physique"
   • ▪ free from or producing relatively little radioactive contamination.
   • ▪ (of timber) free from knots: "the forester and the sawyer reject timber that is not straight and clean"
   • 2. morally uncontaminated; pure; innocent: "clean living" Similar virtuousgooduprightupstandinghonorablerespectablereputabledecentrighteousmoralmorally correctethicalexemplaryhonestjustinnocentpurechasteundefiledguiltlessblamelessirreproachableunimpeachablepure as the driven snowwhiter than whiteimmaculateimpeccableinformal:squeaky cleaninnocentguiltlessblamelessclearin the clearnot to blameguilt-freecrime-freeabove suspicionunimpeachableirreproachableinformal:squeaky cleanOpposite immoralguilty
   • ▪ not sexually offensive or obscene: "it's all good clean fun"
   • ▪ showing or having no record of offenses or crimes: "a clean driving license is essential for the job"
   • ▪ played or done according to the rules: "it was a good clean fight" Similar fairhonestsportingsportsmanlikejustuprightlaw-abidingchivalroushonorableaccording to the rulesaccording to Hoyleinformal:on the levelOpposite dirtyunfair
   • ▪ not possessing or containing anything illegal, especially drugs or stolen goods: informal "I searched him and his luggage, and he was clean"
   • ▪ (of a person) not taking or having taken drugs or alcohol. informal Similar soberteetotalnondrinkingclearheadedas sober as a judgedrug-freefree of drugsoff drugsabstinentself-restrainedinformal:dryon the wagonstraight
   • ▪ free from ceremonial defilement, according to Mosaic Law and similar religious codes.
   • 3. free from irregularities; having a smooth edge or surface: "a clean fracture of the leg"
   • ▪ having a simple, well-defined, and pleasing shape: "the clean lines and pared-down planes of modernism" Similar simpleelegantgracefulunclutteredtrimshapelyunfussyuncomplicatedstreamlinedsmoothwell defineddefiniteclean-cutregularsymmetricalOpposite complexelaborate
   • ▪ (of an action) smoothly and skillfully done: "I still hadn't made a clean takeoff" Similar neatsmoothcrispstraightaccuratepreciseslickinch-perfectOpposite ragged
   • 4. (of a taste, sound, or smell) giving a clear and distinctive impression to the senses; sharp and fresh: "clean, fresh, natural flavors"

   adverb

   • 1. so as to be free from dirt, marks, or unwanted matter: "the room had been washed clean"
   • ▪ in a way that involves the consumption of unprocessed, unrefined, and nutrient-rich food: "plain oatmeal is a staple for anyone who's eating clean"
   • 2. used to emphasize the completeness of a reported action, condition, or experience: informal "he was knocked clean off his feet"

   verb

   • 1. make (something or someone) free of dirt, marks, or mess, especially by washing, wiping, or brushing: "clean your teeth properly after meals" Similar washcleansewipespongescrubmoprinsescourswabhose downsluice (down)flushpolishdisinfectshampooflossliterary:lavelaunderdry-cleanOpposite dirtysoil
   • ▪ remove the innards of (fish or poultry) prior to cooking: "there are a variety of ways to cook the herring, but it must first be gutted and cleaned" Similar guteviscerateremove the innards ofdrawdress

   Word Origin Old Englishclǣne, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German klein ‘small’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. cleanable adjective
   • 2. cleanish adjective
   • 3. cleanness noun

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • C

     3

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

   • A

     1

   • N

     1

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