rinse

[ rins ]

verb (used with object)

, rinsed, rins·ing.

1. to wash lightly, as by pouring water into or over or by dipping in water:

   to rinse a cup.

2. to douse or drench in clean water as a final stage in washing.
3. to remove (soap, dirt, etc.) by such a process (often followed by off ).
4. to use a rinse on (the hair).

noun

1. an act or instance of rinsing.
2. the water used for rinsing.
3. any preparation that may be used on the hair after washing, especially to tint or condition the hair.
4. an act or instance of using such a preparation on the hair.

rinse

/ rɪns /

verb

1. to remove soap from (clothes, etc) by applying clean water in the final stage in washing
2. to wash lightly, esp without using soap

   to rinse one's hands

3. to give a light tint to (hair)

noun

1. the act or an instance of rinsing
2. hairdressing a liquid preparation put on the hair when wet to give a tint to it

   a blue rinse

Derived Forms

• ˈrinser, noun
• ˌrinsaˈbility, noun
• ˈrinsable, adjective

Other Words From

• rinsa·ble rinsea·ble adjective
• rinsa·bili·ty rinsea·bili·ty noun
• pre·rinse verb (used with object) prerinsed prerinsing
• prerinse noun
• un·rinsed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rinse¹

1300–50; Middle English ryncen < Middle French rincer, Old French recincier < Vulgar Latin *recentiāre to make new, refresh, equivalent to Latin recent- (stem of recēns ) fresh, recent + connective -i- + -āre infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of rinse¹

C14: from Old French rincer , from Latin recens fresh, new

Example Sentences

Instead, caterers typically deliver insulated boxes full of stainless steel containers, which then get rinsed out and returned at the end of the day.

From Salon

It involves multiple cycles of gentle rinsing, he said.

From Science Daily

They are believed to have coloured their homes, mosques and even public offices in a rinse of blue, considered a divine hue in Judaism, signifying the holy skies.

From BBC

If she stepped away to rinse out her coffee mug or use the copier, she said, her supervisor would text her demanding to know where she was.

From Los Angeles Times

Bar the immense challenge of batting under considerable scoreboard pressure at the end of the day, this was rinse and repeat for England, deja vu from their back-breaking slog on Monday.

From BBC

Related Words

• bathe
• clean
• dip
• flush
• soak
• wash
• wet