1free from dirt, marks, or stains:the room was spotlessly cleankeep the wound clean
having been washed since last worn or used:a clean blouse
[attributive] (of paper) not yet marked by writing or drawing:he copied the advert on to a clean sheet of paper
(of a person) attentive to personal hygiene:by nature he was clean and neat
free from pollutants or unpleasant substances:we will create a cleaner, safer environment
free from or producing relatively little radioactive contamination.
(of timber) free from knots:the forester and the sawyer reject timber that is not straight and clean
2morally uncontaminated; pure; innocent:clean living
not sexually offensive or obscene:it’s all good clean fun
showing or having no record of offences or crimes:a clean driving licence is essential for the job
played or done according to the rules:we are not completely sure that the elections will be clean and fair
[predic.] informal not possessing or containing anything illegal, especially drugs or stolen goods:I searched him and his luggage, and he was clean
[predic.] informal (of a person) not taking or having taken drugs or alcohol:I had been here for only a fortnight and clean for three weeks
free from ceremonial defilement, according to Mosaic Law or other religious codes.
3free from irregularities; having a smooth edge or surface:a clean fracture of the leg
having a simple, well-defined, and pleasing shape:the clean lines and pared-down planes of modernism
(of an action) smoothly and skilfully done:he took a clean catch
4(of a taste, sound, or smell) giving a clear and distinctive impression to the senses; sharp and fresh:clean, fresh, natural flavours
ზმნისართი
Universal
1so as to be free from dirt, marks, or unwanted matter:the room had been washed clean
2 informal used to emphasize the completeness of a reported action, condition, or experience:he was knocked clean off his feetI clean forgot her birthday
არსებითი სახელი
Universal
an act of cleaning something:he gave the room a clean
ზმნა
Universal
make clean; remove dirt, marks, or stains from:clean your teeth properly after mealsI cleaned up my room (as noun cleaning)Anne will help with the cleaning
remove the innards of (fish or poultry) prior to cooking:there are a variety of ways to cook the herring, but it must first be gutted and cleaned
give someone a beating:I assured her that if anything happened I would personally clean the Russian’s clock
defeat or surpass someone decisively:racing in this yacht he cleaned the clocks of the Regatta fleet
clean house
North American
do housework:they cleaned house, washed clothes, and cared for the children
eliminate corruption or inefficiency:the president acted quickly to clean house when the allegations were made
clean one's plate
eat up all the food put on one’s plate.
a clean sheet (or slate)
an absence of existing restraints or commitments:no government starts with a clean sheet
(keep a clean sheet) (in a football match) prevent the opposing side from scoring:Scotland kept a clean sheet against the Welsh
clean up one's act
informal begin to behave in a better way, especially by giving up alcohol, drugs, or illegal activities:he planned to clean up his act, but in a last celebration bought some coke and heroin
come clean
informal be completely honest; keep nothing hidden:the Chancellor must come clean about his plans for increasing taxation
have clean hands
be uninvolved and blameless with regard to an immoral act:no one involved in the conflict has clean hands
keep one's hands clean
not involve oneself in an immoral act:Franco kept his own hands clean by using others to impose his will
1remove all unwanted people or things ready to start afresh:in 1917 many Soviet communists wanted to make a clean sweep of the discredited old order
2win all of a group of similar or related sporting competitions, events, or matches:Annadale are almost certain of making a clean sweep of the male athletics competitions
clean someone out
informal use up or take all someone’s money:they were cleaned out by the Englishman at the baccarat table
clean something out
thoroughly clean the inside of something:my mom says I have to go and clean out the hamster 's cage
clean up
informal
make a substantial gain or profit:Francis put three quid on a horse, figuring it was about time he cleaned up
win all the prizes available in a sporting competition:the Germans cleaned up at Wimbledon
clean something up
restore order or morality to:the police chief was given the job of cleaning up a notorious district
