cleanliness

[ klen-lee-nis ]

noun

1. the quality, state, or habit of being cleanly, or keeping oneself clean and neat:

   personal cleanliness.

2. the quality, state, or habit of being kept clean, as a place or object:

   the cleanliness of the restaurant.

3. the state or quality of being morally pure or upright:

   spiritual cleanliness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleanliness¹

First recorded in 1425–75; Middle English clenlynesse, clenlines , cleanly ( def ), -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

“I’m a very clean person. I like cleanliness, and I think you’re better off going there than maybe someplace that you have no idea where the food’s coming from. It’s a certain standard,” Trump told CNN in a 2016 town hall.

From Salon

In a statement, Mayor Karen Bass said more enforcement is on the way in the form of a “citywide targeted nuisance abatement effort to address abandoned buildings with graffiti and other safety, public health and cleanliness concerns.”

From Los Angeles Times

The change was made on noise, safety and cleanliness grounds.

From BBC

The ratings are based on factors such as food handling practices, cleanliness of facilities and overall food safety management.

From BBC

The FSA's hygiene ratings provide customers with information about the cleanliness and safety practices of establishments that sell food.

From BBC

Related Words

• freshness
• purity
• sanitation