cleanliness
Americannoun
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the quality, state, or habit of being cleanly, or keeping oneself clean and neat.
personal cleanliness.
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the quality, state, or habit of being kept clean, as a place or object.
the cleanliness of the restaurant.
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the state or quality of being morally pure or upright.
spiritual cleanliness.
Etymology
Origin of cleanliness
First recorded in 1425–75; Middle English clenlynesse, clenlines , see origin at cleanly ( def. ), -ness ( def. )
Explanation
Cleanliness is a habit of staying neat and tidy, or sterile. Cleanliness in your bedroom is nice, but cleanliness in a hospital operating room is critical. If your friend remarks on the cleanliness of your locker, it's probably because of your thoughtful, color-coordinated organizational system. And if that same friend questions the cleanliness of your socks, it's probably because your feet smell terrible. Cleric John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism, is famous for the line, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness," implying that how clean or dirty you are is a reflection of your moral character.
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.
Finally, analysts have observed that outdated restaurants in poor condition have hurt Wendy’s sales, and that the company needs to ensure sufficient staffing and cleanliness.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 8, 2026
Though rigid about his schedule, he disdained not only cleanliness and exercise but regular medical care.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
Authorities say their crackdown will bring cleanliness and order to the city of eight million people.
From Barron's ● Jun. 2, 2026
Derbyshire said the environmental charity's most recent statistics showed "one in seven streets" in Wales had glass litter on them, posing a public health challenge as well as a cleanliness issue.
From BBC ● May 18, 2026
"And cleanliness is next to godliness," she plucked at Uncle Tony as he closed the back door after Maddy and me climbed in.
From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
