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Synonyms

cleaning

American  
[klee-ning] / ˈkli nɪŋ /

noun

  1. an act or instance of making clean.

    Give the house a good cleaning.

  2. Slang. an overwhelming or complete defeat, financial loss, or failure.

    Our team took a cleaning in yesterday's game.

  3. Informal. killing.


Other Word Forms

  • self-cleaning adjective

Etymology

Origin of cleaning

First recorded in 1655–75; clean + -ing 1

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.

Especially given the fact that, between “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another,” Warner Bros. will be cleaning up.

From Los Angeles Times

She was found with large calluses on her feet and ankles from constantly being on her hands and knees cleaning floors.

From BBC

These engineered CAR-astrocytes act like powerful cleaning cells in the brain.

From Science Daily

Each task recorded — be it plant watering or kitchen cleaning — has to last between two and 15 minutes.

From Los Angeles Times

He does not drive, has difficulty dressing himself and needs help with his personal hygiene, cooking and cleaning.

From MarketWatch