3 PHRASAL VERB If the police or authorities clean up a place or area of activity, they make it free from crime, corruption, and other unacceptable forms of behaviour. □ [V pron-refl P ] After years of neglect and decline the city was cleaning itself up. □ [V P n] Since then, the authorities have tried to clean up the sport.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you go and clean up , you make yourself clean and tidy, especially after doing something that has made you dirty. □ [get V -ed P ] Johnny, go inside and get cleaned up. □ [V n P ] I cleaned myself up a bit, and got the baby ready.
5 PHRASAL VERB If someone cleans up , they make a large profit or get a lot of money. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] It has cleaned up at the box office.
▸ clean up after PHRASAL VERB If you clean up after someone, you clean or tidy a place that they have made dirty or untidy. □ [V P P n] You can use the kitchen, but please clean up after yourself. SYNONYMS clean ADJ 1
spotless: Each morning cleaners make sure everything is spotless.
immaculate: Her front room was kept immaculate.
pristine: Now the house is in pristine condition.
clea n-cu t ADJ Someone, especially a boy or man, who is clean-cut has a neat, tidy appearance. □ …his clean-cut good looks.
clea n ea t|ing N‑UNCOUNT Clean eating is the practice of eating only certain foods that are thought to be healthy and natural. □ This craze for clean eating was responsible for a 30% growth in demand for avocados last year.
clean|er /kliː nə r / (cleaners )
1 N‑COUNT A cleaner is someone who is employed to clean the rooms and furniture inside a building.
2 N‑COUNT [n N ] A cleaner is someone whose job is to clean a particular type of thing. □ He was a window cleaner.
3 N‑VAR [usu n N ] A cleaner is a substance used for cleaning things. □ …oven cleaner. □ …abrasive cleaners.
4 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A cleaner is a device used for cleaning things. □ …an air cleaner.
5 → see also pipe cleaner , vacuum cleaner
6 N‑COUNT A cleaner or a cleaner's is a shop where things such as clothes are dry-cleaned.
clea n|ing lady (cleaning ladies ) N‑COUNT A cleaning lady is a woman who is employed to clean the rooms and furniture inside a building.
clea n|ing wom|an (cleaning women ) N‑COUNT A cleaning woman is the same as a cleaning lady .
clean|li|ness /kle nl I nəs/ N‑UNCOUNT Cleanliness is the degree to which people keep themselves and their surroundings clean. □ Many of Britain's beaches fail to meet minimum standards of cleanliness. □ …the importance of personal cleanliness.
cleanse /kle nz/ (cleanses , cleansing , cleansed )
1 VERB To cleanse a place, person, or organization of something dirty, unpleasant, or evil means to make them free from it. □ [V pron-refl + of ] Straight after your last cigarette your body will begin to cleanse itself of tobacco toxins. □ [V n] Confession cleanses the soul.
2 VERB If you cleanse your skin or a wound, you clean it. □ [V n] Catherine demonstrated the proper way to cleanse the face. □ [V -ing] …cleansing lotions.
cleans|er /kle nzə r / (cleansers )
1 N‑VAR A cleanser is a liquid or cream that you use for cleaning your skin.
2 N‑VAR A cleanser is a liquid or powder that you use in cleaning kitchens and bathrooms. [mainly AM ]
clea n-sha ven ADJ If a man is clean-shaven , he does not have a beard or a moustache.
clea n-up (clean-ups ) in AM, use cleanup N‑COUNT A clean-up is the removing of dirt, pollution, crime, or corruption from somewhere. □ [+ of ] …the need for a clean-up of Italian institutions. □ The Governor has now called in the National Guard to assist the cleanup operation.
clear ◆◆◆ /kl I ə r / (clearer , clearest , clears , clearing , cleared )
1 ADJ Something that is clear is easy to understand, see, or hear. □ The book is clear, readable and adequately illustrated. □ The space telescope has taken the clearest pictures ever of Pluto. □ He repeated his answer, this time in a clear, firm tone of voice. ● clear|ly ADV [usu ADV -ed/adj, oft ADV after v] □ Whales journey up the coast of Africa, clearly visible from the beach. □ It was important for children to learn to express themselves clearly.
2 ADJ Something that is clear is obvious and impossible to be mistaken about. □ It was a clear case of homicide. □ The clear message of the scientific reports is that there should be a drastic cut in car use. □ A spokesman said the British government's position is perfectly clear. □ It's not clear whether the incident was an accident or deliberate. ● clear|ly ADV □ Clearly, the police cannot break the law in order to enforce it.
3 ADJ If you are clear about something, you understand it completely. □ [+ about ] It is important to be clear about what Chomsky is doing here. □ People use scientific terms with no clear idea of their meaning. [Also + on ]
4 ADJ If your mind or your way of thinking is clear , you are able to think sensibly and reasonably, and you are not affected by confusion or by a drug such as alcohol. □ She needed a clear head to carry out her instructions. ● clear|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ The only time I can think clearly is when I'm alone.