declutter

American  

[dee-kluht-er] / diˈklʌt ər /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to remove mess or clutter from (a place).

2. to organize and prioritize (one’s commitments, material possessions, etc.).

   Declutter your calendar and spend more time with your family.

---

declutter British  

/ diːˈklʌtə /

verb

1. to simplify or get rid of mess, disorder, complications, etc

   declutter your life

---

Usage

What does declutter mean? Whether tossing out tchotchkes from your living room or clearing your mind of pointless thoughts, to declutter is to remove messes—or clutter—from a space. Physically, decluttering involves getting rid of unnecessary things, such as unused clothes crowding a closet, to tidy up a room or area. Figuratively, decluttering involves organizing and making priorities to streamline one’s life.

Etymology

Origin of declutter

de- + clutter

Example Sentences

I like to use a move as an opportunity to declutter.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 23, 2026

She had two months to declutter before moving to a smaller house in Manchester and Sarah says putting a limit on items from each room helped.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

Google’s Gemini AI tool can help organize and declutter your inbox—to an extent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 24, 2026

Owners should declutter their space, ensure that photos of the property are up to par, eliminate any unsavory smells, and consider if their home would benefit from professional staging, agents say.

From Barron's • Oct. 26, 2025

Just trying to declutter the house — that’s something I’ve been engaging in in the last month.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 11, 2025