unclean

adjective

un·​clean ˌən-ˈklēn 

1

: dirty, filthy

2

: morally or spiritually impure

3

: infected with a harmful supernatural contagion

also : prohibited by ritual law for use or contact

4

: lacking in clarity and precision of conception or execution

uncleanness

ˌən-ˈklēn-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of unclean

• corrupt
• sick
• degraded

Examples of unclean in a Sentence

Many of their health problems were caused by unclean living conditions.

there's something unclean about this whole business

Recent Examples on the Web

Islamic finance may also avoid sectors and products considered haram, or unclean; for example, a sharia-compliant ETF may avoid banks that offer traditional loans or e-commerce platforms that sell pork. —Angelica Ang, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026

Particularly popular are vox pop stories in reaction to unclean restaurants, faulty construction, and other targets of activist journalism. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Apr. 2026

The facility had an unclean can opener. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado april 10, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026

Among the workers polled, 36.5 percent said water, when available, often runs out or is unclean. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for unclean

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• amine
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between

Kids Definition

unclean

adjective

un·​clean ˌən-ˈklēn 

1

: not pure and innocent : wicked

2

: prohibited by religious law for use or contact

3

: dirty entry 1 sense 1, filthy

uncleanness

-ˈklēn-nəs 

noun