clean

S1 W1

BrE /kliːn/ AmE /klin/

verb / adjective / noun en → es

past cleaned pp cleaned ing cleaning

1 VERB - CLEAN THINGS [transitive, T + obj] A1

to remove dirt, dust, or other unwanted substances from something

limpiar, asear, barrer, fregar

  • clean something
  • clean something up

Collocations clean the house · clean your teeth

  • I need to clean my room.

    Necesito limpiar mi cuarto.

2 VERB - CLEAN PERSON [reflexive] A1

to wash yourself or your body

lavarse, ducharse, bañarse

  • clean oneself

Collocations take a shower · have a bath

  • She needs to clean herself before dinner.

    Ella necesita ducharse antes de la cena.

3 ADJECTIVE - PURE [predicative] A1

free from dirt, dust, or other unwanted substances; in a good condition to use or eat

limpio, claro, puro

  • be clean

Collocations clean water · clean clothes

  • The kitchen is now clean.

    La cocina está ahora limpia.

4 ADJECTIVE - MORAL [predicative] B1

free from dishonest or immoral behavior; honest and fair

honesto, limpio (moralmente)

  • be clean

Collocations clean business practices · a clean conscience

  • He has a very clean record.

    Él tiene un expediente muy limpio.

5 NOUN - SPORT [singular] B2

a sport in which two people fight each other using their fists, following a set of rules

boxeo

  • have a clean
  • He is training for his next clean.

    Está entrenando para su próximo combate de boxeo.

6 VERB - WIN [transitive] C1

to win a game or competition without losing any points, games, etc.

ganar sin perder puntos

  • clean + NOUN
  • The team cleaned the game.

    El equipo ganó el partido sin perder ningún punto.

7 VERB - REMOVE [transitive] C1

to remove something completely, especially by washing or cleaning it away

quitar por completo, eliminar

  • clean + NOUN
  • The rain cleaned the dirt from the windows.

    La lluvia limpió la suciedad de las ventanas.

8 VERB - REMOVE [transitive] C1

to remove something completely, especially by washing or cleaning it away

quitar por completo, eliminar

  • clean + NOUN
  • The storm cleaned the debris from the streets.

    La tormenta eliminó los escombros de las calles.

Phrasal verbs

clean up CLEAN THINGS A2

limpiar, asear

  • We need to clean up the kitchen.

    Necesitamos limpiar la cocina.

clean out REMOVE CONTENTS B1

vaciar, despejar

  • I need to clean out my closet.

    Necesito vaciar mi armario.

clean off REMOVE SURFACE B2

quitar la superficie, limpiar

  • I need to clean the mud off my shoes.

    Necesito quitar el barro de mis zapatos.

clean up after CLEAN UP FOR SOMEONE ELSE B2

limpiar después de alguien

  • I'll clean up after the party.

    Limpiaré después de la fiesta.

clean out of WIN WITHOUT LOSING C1

ganar sin perder puntos

  • The team cleaned out of the game.

    El equipo ganó el partido sin perder ningún punto.

Idioms

clean as a whistle B2

muy limpio, impecable

  • The house is clean as a whistle.

    La casa está muy limpia.

clean slate B2

hoja en blanco, nueva oportunidad

  • We need to start with a clean slate.

    Necesitamos empezar con una hoja en blanco.

clean sweep C1

limpieza total, victoria sin perder puntos

  • The team made a clean sweep of the competition.

    El equipo ganó la competencia sin perder ningún punto.