adj
Uncommon
unclean
uhn-KLEEN
Unclean (adj) means Dirty or covered in filth. Example: “The water from the well was unclean and unsafe to drink.”
adj
1
Dirty or covered in filth.
"The water from the well was unclean and unsafe to drink."
2
Considered impure in a religious or ceremonial sense.
"Certain foods are described as unclean in the text."
How to use unclean
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot clean — either physically dirty or, in a religious context, ritually impure.
Common pairings
unclean water
ritually unclean
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Word forms
- Comparative
- uncleaner
- Superlative
- uncleanest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The water from the well was _____ and unsafe to drink.
Etymology
From Old English unclǣne, from un- + clean.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for unclean
See all rhymes for unclean →Frequently asked questions
What does “unclean” mean?
The word “unclean” means dirty or covered in filth. In plain terms, not clean — either physically dirty or, in a religious context, ritually impure.
How do you pronounce “unclean”?
“Unclean” is pronounced uhn-KLEEN (/ʌnˈkliːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “unclean” in a sentence?
Here is “unclean” used in a sentence: “The water from the well was unclean and unsafe to drink.”
What is another word for “unclean”?
Words with a similar meaning to “unclean” include befouled, besmirched, clarty, cruddy, dirtsome and dirty.
What is the opposite of “unclean”?
The opposite of “unclean” — its antonyms — is clean.
What part of speech is “unclean”?
“Unclean” is an adjective.
Where does the word “unclean” come from?
The word “unclean” comes from Old English. From Old English unclǣne, from un- + clean.
Is “unclean” a common word?
“Unclean” is an uncommon word in modern English.
