clean

1. free from dirt; unsoiled; unstained:

   She bathed and put on a clean dress.

   Synonyms: immaculate, neat

   Antonyms: dirty

2. free from foreign or extraneous matter:

   They filled the new sandbox with clean sand.

3. free from pollution; unadulterated; pure:

   clean air;

   clean water.

4. habitually free of dirt:

   Cats are considered clean animals.

5. characterized by a fresh, wholesome quality:

   the clean smell of pine.

6. free from all writing or marking:

   a clean sheet of paper.

7. having few or no corrections; easily readable:

   The publisher demanded clean proofs from the printer.

   Synonyms: legible

8. free from roughness or irregularity:

   He made a clean cut with a razor.

9. not ornate; gracefully spare; forceful and simple; trim; streamlined:

   a clean literary style;

   the clean lines of a ship.

10. complete; unqualified:

    She made a clean break from her old habits.

11. morally upright; honorable:

    to lead a clean life.

    Synonyms: unsullied, virtuous, chaste

12. showing good sportsmanship; fair:

    a clean fighter.

13. inoffensive in language or content; without obscenity:

    Is this a clean movie?

14. (of a document, record, etc.) bearing no marks of discreditable or unlawful conduct; listing no offenses:

    a clean driver's license.

15. Informal.
    1. innocent of any crime.
    2. not having a criminal record.
    3. carrying or containing no evidence of unlawful activity or intent, such as controlled substances, unlicensed weapons, or contraband:

       The agents searched the car for drugs, but it was clean.

16. Informal. not using addictive drugs:

    He’s been clean for three years now.

17. (of a nuclear weapon) producing little or no radioactive fallout.
18. not radioactive.

    Antonyms: radioactive

19. (of a document or financial instrument) free from qualifications or restrictions:

    a clean bill of lading.

20. free from defects or flaws:

    a clean diamond.

    Synonyms: flawless, unblemished

21. free from encumbrances or obstructions.
22. (of food) free of synthetic additives, unfamiliar ingredients, excessive amounts of sugar, salt, fat, etc.; not overly processed or refined:

    We sell only clean ice cream and confections in our cafe.

23. neatly or evenly made or proportioned; shapely; trim:

    a clean profile.

24. done without any difficulty or interference:

    The bank robbers made a clean getaway.

25. dexterously performed; adroit:

    a clean serve in tennis.

26. (of a jump over an obstacle) made without touching the obstacle.
27. Slang. having no direct associations, business interests, etc., that could prejudice one's official acts or decisions:

    The new governor is clean because he's sold his construction business and doesn't owe political favors to anyone.

28. Slang. without money or funds.
29. (of wine) having a taste that is unusually refreshing and smooth.
30. having no physical or moral blemish or carrying no taboo according to religious laws, especially dietary or ceremonial laws:

    The horse was not a clean animal for the Israelites, and could not be eaten.

31. Nautical. (of an anchorage, harbor, etc.) free of obstructions or hazards ( foul ( def 15 ) ).
32. (of the legs of a horse) free from injury or blemish, as capped hocks, splints, or scars.
33. Foreign Exchange. (of currency floats) not influenced by exchange-rate manipulation ( dirty ( def 14 ) ).

1. in a way that is not dirty, messy, unwholesome, overly complicated, etc.:

   With practice I’ve learned to write clean and crisp, without flashy ornamentation.

   After he got out of prison he decided to change his ways and live clean.

2. so as to be free of dirt or stains:

   This shirt will never wash clean.

3. Informal. wholly; completely; quite:

   The sharp carving knife sliced clean through the roast.

   In a year, he had gone clean through his inheritance.

   Synonyms: thoroughly, entirely

1. to make free of dirt, stains, mess, trash, etc.:

   Clean those dirty shoes.

   I helped my dad clean the garage.

   Synonyms: dust, mop, wipe, brush, sweep, scrub, scour, decontaminate, clear, purify, deterge, lave, rinse, wash

   Antonyms: soil

2. to remove or consume the contents of; empty; clear:

   She sat down to dinner ravenous and within five minutes had cleaned her plate.

3. to dry-clean.
4. to remove the inedible parts from (poultry, fish, vegetables, fruit, etc.):

   He caught the trout, cleaned it, and grilled it—all in 20 minutes.

   I’ll clean these strawberries and cut them up.

5. Metallurgy. to remove the seams from (a casting) by filing or grinding.
6. Philately. to intentionally delete the cancellation from (a postage or revenue stamp).

1. to perform or undergo a process of cleaning:

   This kind of fabric cleans easily.

   Detergents clean better than most soaps.

2. to get rid of dirt, soil, etc. (often followed by up ):

   to spend the morning cleaning.

verb phrase

1. 1. to wash or tidy up:

      They came in from the barn and cleaned up for dinner.

      Clean up this mess in the hallway.

   2. to be washed or tidied up so as to leave no dirt, stains, mess, etc.:

      This new jacket of mine cleans up really nicely.

      The great thing about water-based paints is that they clean up so easily.

   3. Informal. to become more stylishly or formally dressed when needed, as for a social outing or business engagement:

      Wow, a suit and tie—you clean up pretty good!

   4. to rid of undesirable persons or features:

      They cleaned up the local bars.

   5. to put an end to; finish:

      to clean up yesterday's chores.

   6. Informal. to make a large profit:

      They cleaned up in the stock market.

2. 1. to empty in order to straighten or clean:

      I cleaned out my desk drawers and threw away a lot of junk.

   2. to use up; exhaust:

      He had cleaned out his savings.

   3. Informal. to drive out by force.
   4. to empty or rid (a place) of occupants, contents, etc.:

      Eager customers cleaned out the store on the first day of the sale.

      The thief cleaned out the safe.

   5. Slang. to cause to lose all or almost all one's money or possessions:

      Gambling eventually cleaned her out.

      I got cleaned out last night at poker—the cards were marked.