clean
2 antonyms and opposites of clean, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Free of dirt, stains, or other unwanted matter.
Antonyms
How to use clean
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English clǣne, originally meaning "pure" or "shining."
Full origin of clean →Frequently asked questions
What does “clean” mean?
The word “clean” means free of dirt, stains, or other unwanted matter. In plain terms, free of dirt or mess — or, more broadly, free of flaws, drugs, or wrongdoing.
How do you pronounce “clean”?
“Clean” is pronounced kleen (/kliːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “clean” in a sentence?
Here is “clean” used in a sentence: “She put on a clean shirt before the interview.”
What is another word for “clean”?
Words with a similar meaning to “clean” include clean as a bean, clean as a hound's tooth, clean as a new penny, clean as a whistle, clean as a new pin and immaculate.
What is the opposite of “clean”?
The opposite of “clean” — its antonyms — are dirty and unclean.
What part of speech is “clean”?
Depending on how it is used, “clean” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “clean” come from?
The word “clean” comes from Old English. From Old English clǣne, originally meaning "pure" or "shining.".
Is “clean” a common word?
“Clean” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between clean and tidy?
'Clean' means free of dirt, dust and stains, while 'tidy' means neatly arranged and in order. The two are independent: a desk can be tidy but grimy, or spotlessly clean yet buried under scattered papers. Cleaning removes dirt; tidying puts things where they belong.
What are the different meanings of clean?
Beyond 'free of dirt,' 'clean' has several senses: fair and within the rules (a clean game), free of drugs or a criminal record (a clean history), morally decent (clean humour), and neat and simple in design (clean lines). Context tells you which meaning applies.
What is the opposite of clean?
The main opposite is 'dirty.' Depending on the sense, you might also use 'filthy,' 'grimy' or 'soiled' for heavy dirt, 'stained' or 'spotted' for marks, and 'contaminated' or 'polluted' for something unsafe. In the moral or sporting sense, the opposite of clean is 'dirty' or 'unfair' too.