unclean

[ uhn-kleen ]

adjective

, un·clean·er, un·clean·est.

1. not clean; dirty.

   Synonyms: filthy

2. morally impure; evil; vile:

   unclean thoughts.

   Synonyms: polluted, corrupt, sinful, unchaste, base

3. Chiefly Biblical. having a physical or moral blemish so as to make impure according to the laws, especially the dietary or ceremonial laws:

   an unclean animal; unclean persons.

unclean

/ ʌnˈkliːn /

adjective

1. lacking moral, spiritual, ritual, or physical cleanliness

Derived Forms

• unˈcleanness, noun

Other Words From

• un·cleanness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unclean¹

before 900; Middle English unclene, Old English unclǣne. See un- ¹, clean

Example Sentences

Disgust is a strong feeling of revulsion in response to objects perceived to be contaminating, polluting or unclean.

From Salon

Theda Skocpol, a Harvard University sociologist and political scientist who authored "The Missing Middle," told Salon when asked about the comparisons to Hitler that "there are resemblances, especially when demonization happens. Or calling groups enemies or unclean."

From Salon

Even though the monks called me an unclean pig of a dog, and though my new master was clearly a blasphemer, and though I did not like any of the lives I had been given, I prayed that someday I could pay back Samir, the Seller of Dreams, and purchase my freedom.

From Literature

Unclean costumes are a perennial problem, and it was a top reason for the Florida performers wanting to organize with the Teamsters in the early 1980s.

From Seattle Times

“Your policy is dumb,” Farr recalled telling the school, which argued in its response to his lawsuit that his daughter was eating lunch in the girls’ restroom and had unclean hands.

From Seattle Times