clean

I

(Roget's IV) modif.

1. [Not soiled]

Syn. spotless, washed, stainless, laundered, immaculate, unsoiled, untarnished, speckless, unstained, neat, tidy, clear, blank, white, dirtless, unblemished, unspotted, newly cleaned, cleaned, fresh, unused, snowy, well-kept, dustless, unsmirched, cleansed, scrubbed, sanitary, antiseptic, unsullied, spick-and-span, clean as a whistle*, squeaky-clean*.

Ant. soiled, dirty*, stained.

2. [Not contaminated]

Syn. unadulterated, wholesome; see pure 2 , sanitary .

3. [Neat]

Syn. orderly, tidy, regular; see neat 1 .

4. [Having sharp outlines]

Syn. clear-cut, sharp, distinct; see definite 2 .

5. [Legible; having few errors]

Syn. clear, plain, distinct, readable, precise, correct; see also accurate 1 .

Ant. illegible*, confusing, vague.

6. [Sinless]

Syn. pure, wholesome, unsullied, virtuous; see innocent 1 , 4 .

7. [Thorough]

Syn. complete, entire, total; see absolute 1 .

8. [Fair]

Syn. reliable, decent, lawful, sportsmanlike; see decent 2 , fair 1 , honest 1 .

9. [Well-proportioned]

Syn. streamlined, shapely, graceful, spare; see trim 2 .

10. [Not obscene or indecent]

Syn. inoffensive, decorous, wholesome, G-rated*; see chaste 2 , decent 2 .

11. [Free from radioactivity]

Syn. decontaminated, not dangerous, checked.

• come clean*,

Syn. confess, tell the truth, own up*; see admit 2 .

v.

Syn. cleanse, clean up, clean out, clear up, clear out, wash, wash up, scrub, scrub off, soak, disinfect, tidy, tidy up, neaten, straighten up, shake out, purify, decontaminate, sanitize, deodorize, purge, expurgate, swab, polish, sterilize, scrape, sweep, scour, launder, dry-clean, vacuum, scald, dust, mop, cauterize, rinse, sponge, brush, dress, comb, dredge, pick, blow, whisk, wipe, wipe up, clarify, elutriate, winnow, rake, clean away, lave, bathe, expunge, soap, hose down, rasp, erase, shampoo, refine, flush, depurate, deterge, blot, hackle, leach, lixiviate, rub off, sandblast, freshen, put in order, bleach, spruce up, do up*, slick up*, clear the decks*, police up*; see also purify , wash 1 . 2 .

Ant. dirty*, soil, smear, mess up.

Syn.- clean , the broader term, denotes generally the removal of dirt, impurities, or extraneous matter, as by washing or brushing; cleanse suggests more specifically the removal of impurities, as by the use of chemicals, and is often used metaphorically to imply purification [ to cleanse one's mind of evil thoughts ]

II

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus)

I

v.

wash, cleanse, launder, scrub, bathe, freshen up, scour, purify, disinfect, sterilize, deterge, swab, spruce up, shampoo, dust, sanitize, decontaminate.

ANT.: soil, dirty, begrime, pollute, mess

II

a.

1. not dirty spotless, washed, fresh, *spic and span, unsoiled, immaculate, *clean as a whistle, laundered, *squeaky clean, scrubbed, antiseptic, scoured, sanitary, bright, sparkling, pure, disinfected, sterile, clear, unpolluted.

2. virtuous upright, moral, pure, chaste, sinless, innocent, decent, wholesome, respectable, lily-white.

3. fair sportsmanlike, honest, aboveboard, respectable, by the rules.

4. trim plain, uncluttered, simple, sharp.

5. complete thorough, entire, whole, clear-cut.

ANT.: 1. dirty, filthy, grubby, unsanitary, grimy. 2. immoral, filthy, indecent. 3. unfair, unsportsmanlike, *below-the-belt. 4. busy, ornate, cluttered. 5. incomplete, uncertain

III

(Roget's Thesaurus II) I adjective 1. Free from dirt, stain, or impurities: antiseptic, cleanly, immaculate, spotless, stainless, unsoiled, unsullied. See CLEAN. 2. Without imperfections or blemishes, as a line or contour: perfect, regular. See BEAUTIFUL. 3. Well done or executed: adroit, deft, neat, skillful. See ABILITY, GOOD. 4. Free from evil and corruption: angelic, angelical, innocent, lily-white, pure, sinless, unblemished, uncorrupted, undefined, unstained, unsullied, untainted, virginal. Idiom: pure as the driven snow. See CLEAN, RIGHT, SEX. 5. Not lewd or obscene: decent, modest, wholesome. See DECENT. 6. According to the rules: fair, sporting, sportsmanlike, sportsmanly. See FAIR. 7. Slang. Free from guilt or blame: blameless, faultless, guiltless, harmless, innocent, irreproachable, lily-white, unblamable. Idiom: in the clear. See RIGHT. II adverb Informal. To the fullest extent: absolutely, all, altogether, completely, dead, entirely, flat, fully, just, perfectly, quite, thoroughly, totally, utterly, well2, wholly. Informal: clear. Idioms: in toto, through and through. See BIG, LIMITED. III verb 1. To make or keep (an area) clean and orderly. Also used with up: clear (up), neaten (up), police, spruce (up), straighten (up), tidy (up). See ORDER. 2. To make neat and trim; make presentable. Also used with up: freshen (up), groom, neaten (up), slick up, spruce (up), tidy (up), trig (out), trim. See ORDER. 3. To make or become clear by the removal of impurities: clarify, cleanse, purify, refine. See CLEAN.