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

A longstanding taboo in Chinese culture against used goods, seen as unclean or a shameful sign of poverty, is lifting rapidly.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

Sick dogs can easily be reinfected by grooming themselves and living in an unclean environment.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

If that makes you a little sick, if the whole thing feels a little unclean, that’s only because the internet has become a nauseous, infested place.

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2025

If you come to a court with unclean hands, you forfeit your right to claim this kind of emergency relief.

From Slate • Jun. 24, 2025

There were long hairy breeches of some unclean beast-fell, and a tunic of dirty leather.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien