cleanliness

American  

[klen-lee-nis] / ˈklɛn li nɪs /

noun

1. the quality, state, or habit of being cleanly, or keeping oneself clean and neat.

   personal cleanliness.

2. the quality, state, or habit of being kept clean, as a place or object.

   the cleanliness of the restaurant.

3. 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

The underlying premise is the same: cleanliness as virtue, mess as failure.

From Salon • May 5, 2026

Tablets around the restaurants allow diners to share feedback on the quality of the food and cleanliness at a particular location.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

Other areas for improvement include flushing of infrequently used water outlets and improvements in the cleanliness of patient equipment.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

The country boasts a modern highway network, efficient public transportation, widespread high-speed internet, and safety and cleanliness in public spaces.

From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026

Can I then say that the America I saw has put cleanliness first, at the expense of taste?

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• freshness
• purity
• sanitation