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to clean

to clean

210 1.0
To empty something completely
  • verb
  • /klin/
: vaciar
  • You can start by cleaning out the stables.
  • clean out the house

Let's let's all clean out our garages this weekend.

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Examples

  • She decided to clean out her closet to make space for new clothes.

  • So we're going to pack and clean up right now.

  • You could use my room to clean up, and then we party.

  • Can I clean up in here?

  • Time to clean out the garage, buddy, come on.

  • One driving force for federal intervention is the felt need to clean up the environment.

    Academic text (1993)
  • You know, we decided to clean out the entire area, just put turf on everything.

  • If you don't get this you've got to clean up the cabin before we leave.

  • Before moving, he needs to clean out the garage and throw away old junk.

  • Their plan was to clean out the storage shed and organize the tools inside.

Synonyms

to eliminate
vsto clean
  • NSFW
769 3.4

Remove or kill something completely so it is gone

is neutral physical emptying and does not imply destruction or death
to erase
vsto clean
355 2.2

Remove all traces of something from memory or history

is physical removal of contents rather than removing traces or records
to wipe out
vsto clean
347 4.2

Destroy something so nothing is left

focuses on clearing out contents rather than annihilating existence
to empty
vsto clean
213 1.0

To remove everything from a container or place

is the same simple action expressed as a common verb
to clear out
vsto clean
194 3.1

Remove all things from a place so it becomes empty

expresses the same full removal without implying departure by people
to clean out
vsto clean
185 3.2

Empty a place or container by removing everything inside

focuses on the same total removal without specifying method
to strip
vsto clean
129 2.7

Remove all covering or contents from an object so it is left bare

refers more generally to taking out contents rather than removing layers
to obliterate
vsto clean
67 7.5

To destroy something completely so nothing remains

means to take out contents or empty something without destroying it
to purge
vsto clean
62 6.3

To remove unwanted substances, things, or people by cleaning

is the basic act of emptying without the idea of cleansing
to flush out
vsto clean
59 4.5

Force unwanted people or things out of a place, often using water

describes general complete emptying without implying force or liquid use
to clear away
vsto clean
25 1.8

To take things away from a place to make it tidy

is about full emptying rather than simply making an area tidy
to clear off
vsto clean
24 3.0

Remove things from a surface to make it empty or clean

means removing all contents from an object or container completely
to expunge
vsto clean
22 8.8

To remove all signs of something like a record or memory so it cannot be found

is general emptying without the legal or moral removal focus
to clear
vsto clean
  • Specialized
7 4.9

To remove stored information from a device

applies broadly to removing contents, not only digital information
to void
vsto clean
5 5.8

To make a place empty by removing all people or things

is the common everyday term for doing that emptying
to evacuate
vsto clean
3 5.0

To take out what is inside a container so it becomes empty

focuses on emptying objects rather than moving people out
to empty the tank
vsto clean
1 3.9

Remove all fuel or other liquid from a tank until it is empty

describes complete removal in any container, not only tanks
to slop out
vsto clean
  • Informal
1 9.8

To empty dirty liquid or other waste from a container like a bucket

is neutral about contents type and does not focus on dirtiness
to clear the table
vsto clean
  • Specialized
1 4.2

Remove all rows from a database table to make it empty

is the general physical emptying action applied outside computing
to sweep away
vsto clean
3.9

To destroy or carry something away completely, for example by water

is about emptying contents rather than total destruction or obliteration

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

To make a place full by putting people or things into it

Idioms

An official statement that a person or thing is healthy and has no serious problems

9 5.0

To start fresh by forgetting past mistakes and problems

8 9.3

Beat someone badly in a game or fight

To tell the whole truth about something wrong you did

Do something new and not worry about past mistakes

Run away quickly to avoid danger or trouble

To avoid trouble and not attract bad attention

Phrasal Verbs

841 1.0

To make a room or area free of dirt and tidy by removing mess

to clean up
  • Informal
257 2.7

To finish dealing with things and put them in order

185 3.2

Empty a place or container by removing everything inside

to come clean
  • Informal
116 4.1

To say the truth about something you kept secret

70 2.0

To wash and make yourself look neat

To remove dirt or mud from a surface

to clean up
  • Informal
41 3.9

To stop using drugs or alcohol and stay sober

To make a house clean and tidy by removing dirt and putting things in order

to clean out
  • Informal
23 5.1

Make someone lose all their money or possessions

to clean out
  • Informal
17 3.6

Remove people completely from a place or group because they are unwanted

to clean house
  • Informal
13 4.0

To remove unwanted people or things to make a group work better

12 3.3

To clean clothes using chemicals instead of water

To remove dirt or spills from the floor using a mop

Remove dirt or stains from something using hot steam

To remove dirt and leaves from a swimming pool

Remove waste from a cat's litter tray

To clean the whole house very thoroughly, usually in spring

To clean a carpet or floor with a vacuum cleaner

to clean up
  • Informal
1 4.8

To make a lot of money quickly or easily

To remove harmful things from the body or a computer

Compounds

48 1.0

Water that is safe to drink and use

clean slate
  • Informal
31 4.1

A chance to start again without being blamed for past mistakes

18 3.8

Having a neat, smart look and tidy clothes

clean break
  • Informal
15 3.9

A complete ending of a relationship or old life to start fresh

14 3.5

A person with no hair on the face, like on the chin and cheeks

clean sweep
  • Informal
9 3.6

A full success when someone wins everything or makes a complete change

8 3.7

Living in a morally careful way and avoiding drinking, smoking, and drugs

clean room
  • Specialized
7 6.4

A room where people keep the air and surfaces very clean for making microchips and other sensitive equipment

clean-burning
  • Specialized
4 5.3

Produces little smoke or ash when burned

clean code
  • Specialized
1 4.0

Clear, well organized computer instructions that are easy to read and change

code clean
  • Specialized
1 5.8

Source code written clearly so other programmers can read and change it

clean and jerk
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A weightlifting move where you lift a heavy bar to your shoulders then push it above your head

Very clean and tidy with no dirt or marks

clean bomb
  • Archaic
1 6.1

A nuclear bomb that produces very little radioactive fallout

An organized activity where people pick up litter in a public place

1 7.4

Having well-shaped arms and legs that look strong and graceful

8.0

A style of building with simple straight lines and visible wood parts

clean-up event
  • Specialized
3.7

A scheduled task that deletes temporary files to free disk space

7.2

A clean room where air moves in smooth parallel layers to keep tiny particles away during work like making microchips

How Empty

to strip
129 2.7
to clean
210 1.0
to clear out
194 3.1
to drain
203 1.0

Surface Forms

clean infinitive
cleaned past
cleaned past participle
cleaning present participle
cleans third person singular

Etymology

Clean can mean 'empty' because making something clean often means taking everything away, so to clean a place of goods is to remove its contents completely.