verb
Uncommon
cleanse
klehnz
Cleanse (verb) means to make thoroughly clean or free of impurities. Example: “She cleansed the wound before bandaging it.”
verb
1
To make thoroughly clean or free of impurities.
"She cleansed the wound before bandaging it."
"Use a gentle cleanser to cleanse your face at night."
2
To rid of something considered undesirable, corrupt, or sinful.
"The ritual was meant to cleanse the house of bad spirits."
How to use cleanse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo thoroughly purify or purge something of dirt, impurity, or (figuratively) guilt.
Common pairings
cleanse the skin
cleanse the palate
ethnic cleansing
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Word forms
- Plural
- cleanses
- Third person singular
- cleanses
- Past tense
- cleansed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the wound before bandaging it.
Etymology
From Old English clǣnsian, "to make clean," built directly on the root of "clean."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for cleanse
See all rhymes for cleanse →Frequently asked questions
What does “cleanse” mean?
The word “cleanse” means to make thoroughly clean or free of impurities. In plain terms, to thoroughly purify or purge something of dirt, impurity, or (figuratively) guilt.
How do you pronounce “cleanse”?
“Cleanse” is pronounced klehnz (/klɛnz/ in IPA).
How do you use “cleanse” in a sentence?
Here is “cleanse” used in a sentence: “She cleansed the wound before bandaging it.”
What part of speech is “cleanse”?
“Cleanse” is a verb.
Where does the word “cleanse” come from?
The word “cleanse” comes from Old English. From Old English clǣnsian, "to make clean," built directly on the root of "clean.".
Is “cleanse” a common word?
“Cleanse” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cleanse” have?
“Cleanse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make thoroughly clean or free of impurities.
