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

To be clear, the movie wasn’t what it claimed to be, but a bizarre blend of staged scenes and found footage, which only heightened its notoriety as an unclean object.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

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

The two bacteria are spread through contact with contaminated faeces, either directly through person-to-person transmission or indirectly from unclean food, water or surfaces.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

The left hand, considered unclean, is reserved for personal hygiene.

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2025

He was a wiry little fellow with thick, unclean lenses in his glasses which magnified his frightened stare.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan