unclean

[ uhn-kleen ]

adjective

, un·clean·er, un·clean·est.

1. not clean; dirty.

   Synonyms: filthy

2. morally impure; evil; vile:

   unclean thoughts.

   Synonyms: polluted, corrupt, sinful, unchaste, base

3. Chiefly Biblical. having a physical or moral blemish so as to make impure according to the laws, especially the dietary or ceremonial laws:

   an unclean animal; unclean persons.

unclean

/ ʌnˈkliːn /

adjective

1. lacking moral, spiritual, ritual, or physical cleanliness

Derived Forms

• unˈcleanness, noun

Other Words From

• un·cleanness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unclean¹

before 900; Middle English unclene, Old English unclǣne. See un- ¹, clean

Example Sentences

They depict a wariness of anything — or anyone — who will make the community unclean, tarnish its image.

From Washington Post

First, religious texts condemn them as unclean, plus the love Westerners shower on pets made them inherently suspect.

From The Daily Beast

The offspring of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches, and make a noise as unclean roots upon the top of a rock.

From Project Gutenberg

But we must not class in this unclean category Lord Spunyarn and his friend Haggard, who were both playing at the big table.

From Project Gutenberg

Fat-droplets are most frequently derived from unclean bottles or oiled catheters.

From Project Gutenberg

Fordun says there was famine in Scotland this year, many being reduced 'to feed on the flesh of horses and other unclean cattle.'

From Project Gutenberg

Walsingham says the distress was worst in the north, where, he heard, 'the people ate dogs and horses and other unclean animals.'

From Project Gutenberg