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

• corrupt
• debased
• debauched
• decadent
• degenerate
• degraded
• demoralized
• depraved
• dissipated
• dissolute
• jackleg
• libertine
• loose
• perverse
• perverted
• rakehell
• rakehelly
• rakish
• reprobate
• sick
• unwholesome
• warped

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

Inspectors also said floors throughout the kitchen were unclean. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025

Inspectors observed dirty food items in contact with kitchen shelves, unclean kitchen equipment, cross contamination, inadequate hand washing practices and lack of food-handler certification. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Jan. 2025

In that moment, fears of unclean needles, an allergic reaction, or even permanent damage ran through her mind. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025

The convenience store received health citations for major issues including unclean surfaces and improper food storage. —Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

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