(~er, ~est, ~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
Something that is ~ is free from dirt or unwanted marks.
He wore his ~est slacks, a ~ shirt and a navy blazer...
Disease has not been a problem because ~ water is available...
The metro is efficient and spotlessly ~...
? dirty
ADJ
2.
You say that people or animals are ~ when they keep themselves or their surroundings ~.
? dirty
ADJ
3.
A ~ fuel or chemical process does not create many harmful or polluting substances.
Fans of electric cars say they are ~, quiet and economical.
? dirty
ADJ
~ly
Manufacturers are working with new fuels to find one that burns more ~ly than petrol.
ADV: ADV after v
4.
If you ~ something or ~ dirt off it, you make it free from dirt and unwanted marks, for example by washing or wiping it. If something ~s easily, it is easy to ~.
Her father ~ed his glasses with a paper napkin...
It took half an hour to ~ the orange powder off the bath...
Wood flooring not only ~s easily, but it’s environmentally friendly into the bargain.
VERB: V n, V n prep/adv, V adv
•
Clean is also a noun.
Give the cooker a good ~.
N-SING
5.
If you ~ a room or house, you make the inside of it and the furniture in it free from dirt and dust.
With them also lived Mary Burinda, who cooked and ~ed...
She got up early and ~ed the flat.
VERB: V, V n
~ing
I do the ~ing myself.
N-UNCOUNT
6.
If you describe something such as a book, joke, or lifestyle as ~, you think that they are not sexually immoral or offensive.
They’re trying to show ~, wholesome, decent movies...
Flirting is good ~ fun...
? dirty
ADJ approval
7.
If someone has a ~ reputation or record, they have never done anything illegal or wrong.
Accusations of tax evasion have tarnished his ~ image...
You can hire these from most car hire firms, provided you have a ~ driving licence.
ADJ
8.
A ~ game or fight is carried out fairly, according to the rules.
He called for a ~ fight in the election and an end to ‘negative campaigning’...
= fair
? dirty
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ly
The game had been ~ly fought.
ADV: ADV after v, ADV -ed
9.
A ~ sheet of paper has no writing or drawing on it.
Take a ~ sheet of paper and down the left-hand side make a list.
= blank
ADJ: usu ADJ n
10.
If you make a ~ break or start, you end a situation completely and start again in a different way.
She wanted to make a ~ break from her mother and father.
ADJ: ADJ n
11.
Clean is used to emphasize that something was done completely. (INFORMAL)
It burned ~ through the seat of my overalls...
I ~ forgot everything I had prepared.
ADV: usu ADV prep/adv, also ADV before v emphasis
12.
You can describe an action as ~ to indicate that it is carried out simply and quickly without mistakes.
They were more concerned about the dogs’ welfare than a ~ getaway...
? messy
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ly
I struck the ball ~ly and my shot was on target.
ADV: ADV after v, ADV -ed
13.
If you come ~ about something that you have been keeping secret, you admit it or tell people about it. (INFORMAL)
It would be better if you come ~ about it and let her know what kind of man she is seeing.
PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR about/on n
14.
to ~ up your act: see act
to keep your nose ~: see nose
a ~ slate: see slate
to wipe the slate ~: see slate
a ~ sweep: see sweep
~ as a whistle: see whistle