1clean 
/ˈkli:n/ adjective
clean·er; clean·est /ˈkli:n/ adjective 1 : free from dirt, marks, etc. : not dirty
▪ a clean floor ▪ This table isn't clean. There's a sticky spot where something spilled. ▪ He keeps a very clean house. ▪ The janitor does a good job of keeping the office clean. ▪ clean laundry/socks/towels/sheets ▪ I wiped the baby's face clean. 2 : tending to keep clean
▪ He's a clean young man. ▪ Cats are very clean animals. 3 a : free from pollution or other dangerous substances
▪ clean air/water
b : not causing pollution
▪ Solar power provides clean energy. ▪ a clean fuel 4 a : not yet used
▪ a clean [=blank, fresh] piece/sheet of paper
b of a document : not having any mistakes
▪ We need a clean copy of the document. 5 : not infected
▪ a clean wound 6 : pleasingly simple
▪ I like the clean simplicity of the chair's design. ▪ She wore a formal wool suit with clean lines. 7 : having edges that are straight and smooth
▪ a clean cut ▪ The vase was broken, but it was a clean break and easily repaired with a little glue. 8 : completely and quickly done
▪ The bank robbers made a clean getaway. ▪ When he left home, he made a clean break with the past. [=he completely separated himself from everything that had been part of his life] 9 sports : done in a skillful and impressive way without mistakes or awkwardness
▪ a clean dive/catch/hit ▪ The gymnast made a clean landing. 10 : not showing evidence of any broken rules or laws
▪ She has a clean driving record. — see also clean slate (below) 11 a : not connected with or involving anything illegal or morally wrong
▪ a clean candidate ▪ They believe in hard work and clean living. ▪ The party was good, clean fun.
b : not referring to anything sexual or offensive
▪ Only clean jokes, please. There are children here. ▪ clean language 12 not used before a noun : no longer using drugs : not addicted to drugs
▪ He's been clean for five years. ▪ clean and sober 13 not used before a noun, informal : not carrying any weapons, drugs, etc.
▪ All visitors to the prison are searched to make sure they're clean. ▪ I checked her; she's clean.
▪ a clean floor ▪ This table isn't clean. There's a sticky spot where something spilled. ▪ He keeps a very clean house. ▪ The janitor does a good job of keeping the office clean. ▪ clean laundry/socks/towels/sheets ▪ I wiped the baby's face clean.
▪ He's a clean young man. ▪ Cats are very clean animals.
▪ clean air/water
b : not causing pollution
▪ Solar power provides clean energy. ▪ a clean fuel
▪ a clean [=blank, fresh] piece/sheet of paper
b of a document : not having any mistakes
▪ We need a clean copy of the document.
▪ a clean wound
▪ I like the clean simplicity of the chair's design. ▪ She wore a formal wool suit with clean lines.
▪ a clean cut ▪ The vase was broken, but it was a clean break and easily repaired with a little glue.
▪ The bank robbers made a clean getaway. ▪ When he left home, he made a clean break with the past. [=he completely separated himself from everything that had been part of his life]
▪ a clean dive/catch/hit ▪ The gymnast made a clean landing.
▪ She has a clean driving record. — see also clean slate (below)
▪ a clean candidate ▪ They believe in hard work and clean living. ▪ The party was good, clean fun.
b : not referring to anything sexual or offensive
▪ Only clean jokes, please. There are children here. ▪ clean language
▪ He's been clean for five years. ▪ clean and sober
▪ All visitors to the prison are searched to make sure they're clean. ▪ I checked her; she's clean.
clean as a whistle — see 1whistle
clean slate also Brit clean sheet 1 : a person's record (as from a school or a job) that shows no evidence of any problems, broken rules, etc. : a clean record
▪ Everyone who comes to this school starts with a clean slate. 2 clean sheet Brit : a game in which the opposing team is prevented from scoring
▪ The team's star goalie has had five clean sheets [=(US) shutouts] this season. [=has prevented the other team from scoring in five games]
▪ Everyone who comes to this school starts with a clean slate.
▪ The team's star goalie has had five clean sheets [=(US) shutouts] this season. [=has prevented the other team from scoring in five games]
clean sweep 1 : a victory in which one side or team wins every game, contest, etc.
▪ The Red Sox won the series in a clean sweep. ▪ The election was a clean sweep for local Democratic candidates. 2 : a complete change in something
▪ The new governor has made a clean sweep of the staff in the governor's mansion. [=the new governor completely replaced the former governor's staff]
▪ The Red Sox won the series in a clean sweep. ▪ The election was a clean sweep for local Democratic candidates.
▪ The new governor has made a clean sweep of the staff in the governor's mansion. [=the new governor completely replaced the former governor's staff]
come clean
informal : to tell the truth about what happened : to stop hiding the truth
▪ Eventually she came clean and helped the police recover the goods she'd stolen. ▪ He's finally come clean about his role in the scandal.
▪ Eventually she came clean and helped the police recover the goods she'd stolen. ▪ He's finally come clean about his role in the scandal.
give (someone or something) a clean bill of health — see 1bill
keep your nose clean — see 1nose
make a clean breast of — see 1breast
wipe the slate clean — see 1wipe
— clean·ness /ˈkli:nnəs/ noun [noncount]
▪ the cleanness of the image
/ˈkli:nnəs/ noun [noncount] ▪ the cleanness of the image
