Clean
/kliːn/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo remove dirt, marks, or impurities from something.
/kliːn/
To make something free from dirt or impurities.
She cleaned her room meticulously.
💡 Simply: Cleaning is like giving something a bath! It means washing away dirt and making it look shiny and new. Like cleaning your toys or cleaning your shoes.
👶 For kids: To wash something and make it not dirty.
More Examples
He cleaned the car with soap and water.
How It's Used
"I need to clean the kitchen after dinner."
"The surgeon carefully cleaned the wound."
Free from dirt, marks, or impurities.
/kliːn/
The air was clean and fresh.
💡 Simply: Clean means something is fresh and free from dirt or mess. Think of a freshly washed window – that's clean!
👶 For kids: Not dirty.
More Examples
He wore a clean shirt.
How It's Used
"The house was spotless and clean."
Idioms & expressions
clean slate
A fresh start; a new beginning.
"After the scandal, he wanted a clean slate."
From Old English *clǣne, meaning "pure, free from stain or dirt". Related to words like "clear" and "cleanse."
The word "clean" has maintained a consistently positive connotation throughout history, associated with purity and freedom from sin.
Memory tip
Think of a gleaming, spotless surface – that's the result of cleaning.