adv
C1
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cleanly
KLEHN-lee
Cleanly (adv) means In a clean, neat manner, without mess. Example: “The blade sliced cleanly through the rope.”
adv
1
In a clean, neat manner, without mess.
"The blade sliced cleanly through the rope."
"She cleanly executed every step of the routine."
adj
1
Habitually clean; practicing good hygiene.
"He's a famously cleanly person, never a thing out of place."
How to use cleanly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNeatly, without mess — or, as an adjective, someone tidy and hygienic by nature.
Common mistake
As an adjective, "cleanly" (KLEN-lee) is rare in modern speech; the adverb ("cut cleanly," "won cleanly") is the common use today.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- cleanlier, more cleanly
- Superlative
- cleanliest, most cleanly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The blade sliced _____ through the rope.
Etymology
Came into English via Middle English clenly, clenliche and clanly, which developed from Old English clǣnlīċ ("cleanly, pure, excellent"), equivalent to clean plus -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for cleanly
See all rhymes for cleanly →Frequently asked questions
What does “cleanly” mean?
The word “cleanly” means in a clean, neat manner, without mess. In plain terms, neatly, without mess — or, as an adjective, someone tidy and hygienic by nature.
How do you pronounce “cleanly”?
“Cleanly” is pronounced KLEHN-lee (/ˈklɛnli/ in IPA).
How do you use “cleanly” in a sentence?
Here is “cleanly” used in a sentence: “The blade sliced cleanly through the rope.”
What is the opposite of “cleanly”?
The opposite of “cleanly” — its antonyms — are uncleanly and dirty.
What part of speech is “cleanly”?
Depending on how it is used, “cleanly” can be an adverb and an adjective.
How many meanings does “cleanly” have?
“Cleanly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a clean, neat manner, without mess.
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