clean
gb/klˈin/ us/klˈin/
A1
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A1
property
1
Free from dirt or marks
Not dirty; without any dust, marks, or other things that should not be there.
Usage pattern:
[something] is clean
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'clean' with 'tidy', but 'tidy' focuses on order, not absence of dirt.
Synonyms
tidy (Often refers to being orderly rather than just free from dirt)
Antonyms
dirty (Containing dirt, marks, or unwanted substances)
Collocations
spotlessly clean
|keep clean
|perfectly clean
|clean clothes
|clean room
Themes
daily life
|home
|hygiene
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The kitchen is clean after we washed all the dishes.
- She wore a clean white shirt to the interview.
- I like to keep my car clean inside and out.
Learner examples
- My hands are clean now.
- The floor is clean.
- Your shoes are clean.
Verb
A1
action
2
Remove dirt from something
To remove dirt or marks from something.
Usage pattern:
to clean [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say 'make clean' instead of 'clean'. The verb 'clean' already means to make something clean.
Synonyms
wash (Usually refers to cleaning with water and often soap)
Antonyms
dirty (To make something unclean)
Collocations
clean the house
|clean the windows
|clean up the mess
|clean the kitchen
Themes
daily life
|home
|hygiene
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I need to clean the bathroom before our guests arrive.
- She cleaned her glasses with a soft cloth.
- They cleaned the park after the festival.
Learner examples
- I clean my room every day.
- Please clean the table.
- He cleans his shoes.
adjective
B1
property
3
Morally good or legal
Not doing anything wrong or against the law.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has a clean [record/reputation]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'pure', which can have a more emotional or spiritual meaning.
Synonyms
honest (Suggests truthfulness and fairness)
Antonyms
corrupt (Dishonest or morally wrong)
Collocations
clean record
|clean reputation
|clean image
Themes
law
|ethics
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He has a clean driving record with no accidents.
- The company has a clean reputation in the industry.
- She wants to keep her image clean for her political career.
Learner examples
- He has a clean record.
- My father has a clean name.
- The business is clean.
adjective
A2
property
4
Free from harmful substances
Without dangerous chemicals, drugs, or pollution.
Usage pattern:
[something] is clean
Synonyms
pure (Emphasizes being natural and untainted)
Antonyms
contaminated (Containing harmful substances)
Collocations
clean air
|clean water
|clean energy
Themes
health
|environment
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We need access to clean drinking water.
- The city is working to provide clean energy sources.
- Clean air is essential for good health.
Learner examples
- I drink clean water.
- The air here is clean.
- We need clean food.
adjective
informal
B1
property
5
Without offensive language/content
Without bad words or rude pictures.
Usage pattern:
[something] is clean
Synonyms
wholesome (Positive and morally good in a general way)
Antonyms
explicit (Containing offensive or sexual material)
Collocations
clean joke
|clean movie
Themes
media
|entertainment
|communication
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The comedian told only clean jokes suitable for families.
- They prefer to watch clean movies with their children.
- This song is the clean version without explicit lyrics.
Learner examples
- This is a clean joke.
- The movie is clean.
- I like clean songs.
Grammar
Dictionary form
clean
IPA
GB/klˈin/
US/klˈin/
Syllables & stress
clean (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (clean)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: clean
- Comparative: cleaner
- Superlative: cleanest
Verb
- Base: clean
- 3rd Person Singular: cleans
- Present Participle: cleaning
- Past: cleaned
Word family
Expressions
clean out
1/klˈin ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Empty and tidy completely
To take everything out of a place so it is empty and tidy.
Examples
- I need to clean out the garage this weekend.
- She cleaned out her closet and donated old clothes.
clean slate
1/klˈin slˈeɪt/
idiom
A fresh start without past problems
A new beginning without any past mistakes or problems kept in record.
Examples
- After his release from prison, he wanted a clean slate.
- The new manager started with a clean slate.
clean up
1/klˈin ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Make tidy and free from dirt
To make a place neat and without dirt or mess.
Examples
- We need to clean up before the guests arrive.
- She cleaned up her desk after finishing work.
come clean
1/kˈʌm klˈin/
idiom
informal
Admit the truth openly
To tell the truth about something you hid before.
Examples
- He finally came clean about where he was last night.
- It's better to come clean than to keep lying.
make a clean break
1/mˈeɪk ə klˈin bɹˈeɪk/
idiom
End completely without contact afterward
To end a relationship or situation completely and not have any more contact with it.
Examples
- After the divorce, she wanted to make a clean break and move to another city.
- He made a clean break from his old business partners.