English主要词典
clean
Universal Words
adjective, verb, adverb, noun
adjective (cleaner, cleanest)
not dirty
1 not dirty:
Are your hands clean? * to wipe / brush sth clean * The hotel was spotlessly (= extremely) clean. * (BrE) It is your responsibility to keep the room clean and tidy. * (AmE) Keep your room neat and clean. * I can't find a clean shirt (= one I haven't worn since it was washed).
2 having a clean appearance and clean surroundings:
Cats are very clean animals.
not harmful
3 free from harmful or unpleasant substances:
clean drinking water * clean air * We all want a cleaner environment but who is going to pay for it? * the cleaner cars of the future (= not producing so many harmful substances) * Electric buses are a clean, environmentally friendly way to travel.
paper
4 [usuallybeforenoun] with nothing written on it:
a clean sheet of paper
not offensive
5 not offensive or referring to sex; not doing anything that is considered immoral or bad:
The entertainment was good clean fun for the whole family. * Keep the jokes clean please! * The sport has a very clean image.
not illegal
6 not showing or having any record of doing sth that is against the law:
a clean driving licence / driver's license * a clean police record
7 (slang) not owning or carrying anything illegal such as drugs or weapons:
The police searched her but she was clean.
fair
8 played or done in a fair way and within the rules:
It was a tough but clean game.
smooth / simple
9 having a smooth edge, surface or shape; simple and regular:
A sharp knife makes a clean cut. * a modern design with clean lines and a bright appearance
accurate
10 done in a skilful and accurate way:
The plane made a clean take-off.
taste / smell
11 tasting, smelling or looking pleasant and fresh:
The wine has a clean taste and a lovely golden colour.
compareUNCLEAN
IDIOMS
as clean as a whistle (informal) very clean
a clean bill of health a report that says sb is healthy or that sth is in good condition:
Doctors gave him a clean bill of health after a series of tests and examinations. * The building was given a clean bill of health by the surveyor.
a clean break
1 a complete separation from a person, an organization, a way of life, etc:
She wanted to make a clean break with the past.
2 a break in a bone in one place
a clean sheet / slate a record of your work or behaviour that does not show any mistakes or bad things that you have done:
No government operates with a completely clean sheet. * They kept a clean sheet in the match (= no goals were scored against them).
make a clean breast of sth to tell the truth about sth so that you no longer feel guilty:
He made a clean breast of everything and admitted taking the money.
make a clean sweep (of sth)
1 to remove all the people or things from an organization that are thought to be unnecessary or need changing:
The new manager made a clean sweep of the department.
2 to win all the prizes or parts of a game or competition; to win an election completely:
China made a clean sweep of the medals in the gymnastics events. * The opinion poll suggests a clean sweep for the Democrats.
moreatNOSEn., WIPEv.
verb
1 to make sth free from dirt or dust by washing or rubbing it:
[VN] to clean the windows / bath / floor * to clean a wound * Have you cleaned your teeth? * The villa is cleaned twice a week. * [V] I spent all day cooking and cleaning.
seealsoDRY-CLEAN, SPRING-CLEAN
2 [V] to become clean:
This oven cleans easily (= is easy to clean).
3 [VN] = DRY-CLEAN:
This coat is filthy. I'll have it cleaned.
4 [VN] to remove the inside parts of a fish, chicken, etc. before you cook it:
Clean the fish and remove the backbone.
IDIOMS
clean house (AmE)
1 to remove people or things that are not necessary or wanted:
The new manager said he wanted to clean house.
2 to make your house clean
clean up your act (informal) to start behaving in a moral or responsible way:
He cleaned up his act and came off drugs.
PHRASALVERBS
clean sth<->down to clean sth thoroughly:
All the equipment should be cleaned down regularly.
clean sth off / from st
