Idioms for clean

Origin of clean

before 900; Middle English clene, Old English clǣne pure, clear, cognate with Old High German kleini (German klein small)

ANTONYMS FOR clean

1 dirty.
17 contaminated, radioactive.
35 soil.
SEE ANTONYMS FOR clean ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for clean

1. Clean, clear, pure refer to freedom from soiling, flaw, stain, or mixture. Clean refers especially to freedom from soiling: a clean shirt. Clear refers particularly to freedom from flaw or blemish: a clear pane of glass. Pure refers especially to freedom from mixture or stain: a pure metal; not diluted but pure and full strength. 35. Clean, cleanse refer to removing dirt or impurities. To clean is the general word with no implication of method or means: to clean windows, a kitchen, streets. Cleanse is especially used of thorough cleaning by chemical or other technical process; figuratively it applies to moral or spiritual purification: to cleanse parts of machinery; to cleanse one's soul of guilt.

OTHER WORDS FROM clean

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH clean

clean cleanse (see synonym study at the current entry) cleanliness cleanness

Words nearby clean

clayton-bulwer treaty, claytonia, clc, cld., clea, clean, clean and jerk, clean as a whistle, clean bill of health, clean breast, clean eating

Words related to clean up

authorize, decriminalize, codify, constitute, permit, regulate, approve, enact, receive, get, accumulate, earn, reap, contribute, prosper, thrive, improve, comb, scour, scrape

British Dictionary definitions for clean up (1 of 2)

clean up

verb (adverb)

to rid (something) of dirt, filth, or other impurities
to make (someone or something) orderly or presentable
(tr) to rid (a place) of undesirable people or conditions the campaign against vice had cleaned up the city
(intr) informal to make a great profit

noun cleanup

  1. the process of cleaning up or eliminating something
  2. (as modifier)a cleanup campaign
informal, mainly US a great profit

British Dictionary definitions for clean up (2 of 2)

See also clean out, clean up

Derived forms of clean

cleanable, adjective cleanness, noun

Word Origin for clean

Old English clǣne; related to Old Frisian klēne small, neat, Old High German kleini

Idioms and Phrases with clean up (1 of 2)

clean up
1

Also, clean out. Make clean or orderly, as in She cleaned up the cellar after the flood, or Dad said he cleaned out the garage. [First half of 1800s]

2

Also, wash up. Wash or tidy oneself, as in Do I have time to clean up before dinner?

3

Settle or dispose of, as in He cleaned up all the bills that had arrived during his vacation.

4

Bring to a certain standard of order or morality, as in This script won't do; we'll have to clean up the language. Applied to personal behavior, it also is put as clean up one's act, as in He'll have to clean up his act and obey the rules. [c. 1900]

5

Succeed, especially financially, as in We had fantastic luck at the races and really cleaned up. [Slang; first half of 1800s]

6

Also, clean up on. Defeat or vanquish, kill, as in We're cleaning up all the other teams, or With enough ammunition we could clean up on this pocket of snipers. [Slang; mid-1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with clean up (2 of 2)

clean