squeaky-clean
Americanadjective
-
scrupulously clean.
-
virtuous, wholesome, and above reproach.
a squeaky-clean reputation.
adjective
-
(of hair) washed so clean that wet strands squeak when rubbed
-
completely clean
-
informal (of a person) cultivating a virtuous and wholesome image
Usage
What does squeaky-clean mean? Squeaky-clean means completely clean—as clean as possible.The term comes from the squeaky sound that often happens when you run your finger over a smooth, clean surface, like a countertop of a windowpane, or when you rub a strand of wet hair after it’s been washed.Squeaky-clean is also commonly used in a figurative way to describe someone who is known for having a wholesome and virtuous reputation. It can also be used to describe such a reputation or the actions of such a person.When it’s used in this way, squeaky-clean can be used both positively and negatively. When used positively, it typically indicates that someone is completely honorable and upstanding, as in Unfortunately for his enemies, the mayor is squeaky-clean—they’ll never be able to dig up any dirt on him. However, it often implies that a person’s reputation or public image is fake, artificial, or has been constructed to hide what they’re really like. It can also be used to imply that such virtuousness is excessive or irritating, as in I can’t understand why kids enjoy these squeaky-clean boy bands—what happened to teenage rebellion and rock-’n’-roll?Both senses of squeaky-clean are used informally.Example: The floors in my mother-in-law’s house are always so squeaky-clean that you could eat off of them.
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.
WSJLI: I think “The Bachelor” stars may have gotten such huge deals historically because it was so squeaky-clean and family-friendly.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
The spoof opens with the squeaky-clean Manning playing touch football with the group, encouraging everyone in the huddle to practice teamwork and have fun.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2024
He comes across as a squeaky-clean straight-arrow leader and a caring father to Lucy.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 10, 2024
This squeaky-clean progressive image that we so earnestly believe in is something the singer has also had a hand in curating.
From Salon • Aug. 1, 2023
On it is spray-painted, in defiance of squeaky-clean Toronto: It’s Bacon or Me, Babe.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
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.
