(~es, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If you ~ something, you clean it using water and usually a substance such as soap or detergent.
He got a job ~ing dishes in a pizza parlour...
It took a long time to ~ the mud out of his hair...
Rub down the door and ~ off the dust before applying the varnish.
VERB: V n, V n prep, V n with adv
•
Wash is also a noun.
That coat could do with a ~...
The treatment leaves hair glossy and lasts 10 to 16 ~es.
N-COUNT
2.
If you ~ or if you ~ part of your body, especially your hands and face, you clean part of your body using soap and water.
They looked as if they hadn’t ~ed in days...
She ~ed her face with cold water...
You are going to have your dinner, get ~ed, and go to bed.
VERB: V, V n, get V-ed
•
Wash is also a noun.
She had a ~ and changed her clothes.
N-COUNT: usu a N in sing
3.
If a sea or river ~es somewhere, it flows there gently. You can also say that something carried by a sea or river ~es or is ~ed somewhere.
The sea ~ed against the shore...
The force of the water ~ed him back into the cave.
VERB: V prep/adv, V n with adv, also V n prep
4.
The ~ of a boat is the wave that it causes on either side as it moves through the water.
...the ~ from large ships.
N-SING: the N
5.
If a feeling ~es over you, you suddenly feel it very strongly and cannot control it. (WRITTEN)
A wave of self-consciousness can ~ over her when someone new enters the room...
VERB: V over/through n
6.
If you say that an excuse or idea will not ~, you mean that people will not accept or believe it. (INFORMAL)
He said her policies didn’t work and the excuses didn’t ~...
If they believe that solution would ~ with the Haitian people, they are making a dramatic error.
VERB: usu with brd-neg, V, V with n
7.
see also ~ing
8.
If you say that something such as an item of clothing is in the ~, you mean that it is being ~ed, is waiting to be ~ed, or has just been ~ed and should therefore not be worn or used. (INFORMAL)
Your jeans are in the ~.
PHRASE: V inflects
9.
to ~ your dirty linen in public: see dirty
to ~ your hands of something : see hand