unclean

American  

[uhn-kleen] / ʌnˈklin /

adjective

uncleaner, uncleanest

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.

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unclean British  

/ ʌnˈkliːn /

adjective

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

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Other Word Forms

• uncleanness noun

Etymology

Origin of unclean

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

Example Sentences

We think that not only are gadje unclean, but by socializing with them, we can become unclean too.

From Los Angeles Times

Politicians in Washington are certainly amoral, but their hands are not merely unclean with dirt, but also incarnadined and besmirched with innocent blood.

From Washington Post

The U.S. has said the whole case should be dismissed because Iran has "unclean hands" and the asset seizures were the result of Tehran's alleged sponsoring of terrorism.

From Reuters

She says it was not just unclean, it was dangerous too.

From BBC

“These can be very dangerous” because of the risk of perforation of the colon or an infection introduced by unclean equipment, she said.

From Seattle Times