Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Cleanly

//ˈklɛnli// adj, adv

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Being habitually clean, practising good hygiene.

    "I'l now lead you to an honeſt Ale-houſe, where we ſhall find a cleanly room, Lavender in the windowes, and twenty Ballads ſtuck about the wall; […]"

  2. 2
    Cleansing; fitted to remove moisture; dirt, etc. obsolete

    "In our Fantaſtic Climes the Fair / With cleanly Powder dry their Hair: […]"

  3. 3
    Adroit; dexterous; artful. obsolete

    "Yet at the laſt (ſo well he him applyde,) / Through his fine handling, and cleanly play, / He all thoſe royall ſignes had ſtolne away, / And with the Foxes helpe them borne aſide, / Into a ſecret corner vneſpide."

Adjective
  1. 1
    habitually clean wordnet
Adverb
  1. 1
    In a clean way, neatly.

    "He was very cleanly dressed, in a blue coat, striped waistcoat, and nankeen trowsers; […]"

  2. 2
    Not causing a mess or unnecessary damage.

    "We agreed to break off our relationship cleanly."

  3. 3
    Innocently; without stain.

    "If I do growe great, ile growe leſſe, for ile purge and leaue Sacke, and liue cleanlie as a noble man ſhould do."

  4. 4
    Adroitly; dexterously

    "The boy will do well certain : give him grace To have a quick hand and convey things cleanly"

Adverb
  1. 1
    smoothly and without difficulty; precisely and deftly wordnet
  2. 2
    in a manner that minimizes dirt and pollution wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English clenly, clenliche, clanly, from Old English clǣnlīċ (“cleanly, pure, excellent”), equivalent to clean + -ly.

Etymology 2

From Middle English clenly, clenli, clenliche, from Old English clǣnlīċe (“cleanly”), equivalent to clean + -ly.

See also for "cleanly"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: cleanly