Clean vs. Dirty — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 28, 2023
"Clean" denotes the absence of dirt, impurities, or pollutants, while "dirty" indicates the presence of such undesired substances.
Difference Between Clean and Dirty
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Both Clean and Dirty are antonyms, primarily focusing on the presence or absence of impurities. Clean typically refers to something free from dirt, stains, or pollutants. It represents purity, hygiene, and clarity. In contrast, Dirty points towards the presence of contaminants, making something not clean.
Clean is often a state people aspire to, especially in contexts like health and environment. A clean environment is deemed healthy, and clean water is essential for survival. Conversely, the word Dirty can carry a negative connotation in many scenarios. A dirty environment might be associated with illnesses, and dirty water could be harmful for consumption.
In language, both Clean and Dirty can extend beyond the physical sense. One might have a clean record, indicating no history of misdeeds, while dirty secrets point to hidden, potentially scandalous information. Thus, these terms can be applied to abstract concepts, with Clean suggesting untainted and Dirty hinting at something tainted or corrupted.
Notably, in the world of technology and energy, Clean energy refers to sources that don't emit pollutants, aiming for a sustainable environment. On the contrary, dirty energy might allude to non-renewable or polluting sources. Hence, both Clean and Dirty play pivotal roles in discussions about sustainability and environmental consciousness.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Free from dirt or pollutants.
Containing or covered with contaminants.
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Connotation
Generally positive (e.g., pure, clear).
Often negative (e.g., tainted, impure).
Usage
Can describe physical cleanliness or moral purity.
Can indicate physical filth or corruption.
Examples
Clean water, clean slate.
Dirty clothes, dirty tricks.
Field of Use
Clean energy (sustainable, non-polluting).
Dirty energy (polluting, non-renewable).
Compare with Definitions
Clean
Simple and neat in appearance.
I like the clean design of this website.
Dirty
Covered or marked by an unclean substance.
My shoes are dirty from hiking.
Clean
Complete or thorough.
The actor delivered a clean performance.
Dirty
Containing contaminants.
We need to filter this dirty water.
Clean
Not using harmful substances.
Clean energy sources are the future.
Dirty
Obscene or offensive.
Avoid using dirty language.
Clean
Free from dirt, marks, or stains
Keep the wound clean
The room was spotlessly clean
Dirty
Involving dishonesty or illegal activities.
He's involved in some dirty dealings.
Clean
Morally uncontaminated; pure; innocent
Clean living
Dirty
Covered or marked with an unclean substance
A tray of dirty cups and saucers
Her boots were dirty
Clean
Free from irregularities; having a smooth edge or surface
A clean fracture of the leg
Dirty
(of an activity) dishonest; dishonourable
He had a reputation for dirty dealing
Clean
(of a taste, sound, or smell) giving a clear and distinctive impression to the senses; sharp and fresh
Clean, fresh, natural flavours
Dirty
Concerned with sex in a lewd or obscene way
He told a stream of dirty jokes
Clean
So as to be free from dirt, marks, or unwanted matter
The room had been washed clean
Dirty
(of weather) rough, stormy, and unpleasant.
Clean
Used to emphasize the completeness of a reported action, condition, or experience
He was knocked clean off his feet
I clean forgot her birthday
Dirty
(of a colour) not bright or pure; dull
The sea was a waste of dirty grey
Clean
Make clean; remove dirt, marks, or stains from
Clean your teeth properly after meals
I cleaned up my room
Dirty
Used for emphasis
A dirty great slab of stone
Clean
An act of cleaning something
He gave the room a clean
Dirty
Make dirty
She didn't like him dirtying her nice clean towels
Clean
Free from dirt, stain, or impurities; unsoiled
A clean kitchen floor.
Clean clothes.
Dirty
Covered or marked with dirt or an unwanted substance; unclean.
Clean
Free from foreign matter or pollution; unadulterated
Clean air.
Clean drinking water.
Dirty
Spreading dirt; polluting
The air near the foundry was always dirty.
Clean
Not infected
A clean wound.
Dirty
Apt to soil with dirt or grime
A dirty job at the garage.
Clean
Producing relatively little pollution
A clean fuel.
A cleaner, more efficient engine.
Dirty
Contaminated with bacteria or other infectious microorganisms.
Clean
Producing relatively little radioactive fallout or contamination
A clean nuclear bomb.
Dirty
Squalid or filthy; run-down
Dirty slums.
Clean
Having no imperfections or blemishes; regular or even
A clean edge.
A smooth, clean joint.
Dirty
Obscene or indecent
Dirty movies.
A dirty joke.
Clean
Not ornate or intricate; spare
"the clean lines and exquisite proportions of early modernism" (Judith Thurman).
Dirty
Lewd or lecherous
A dirty mind.
Clean
Sharply defined; clear-cut
A clean outline against the sky.
Dirty
Unethical or corrupt; sordid
Dirty politics.
Clean
Free from clumsiness; deft; adroit
A clean throw.
Dirty
Malicious or scandalous
A dirty lie.
Clean
Devoid of restrictions or encumbrances
A clean bill of health.
Dirty
Not sportsmanlike
Dirty players.
A dirty fighter.
Clean
Thorough; complete
A clean getaway.
Dirty
Acquired by illicit or improper means
Dirty money.
Clean
Having few alterations or corrections; legible
Clean manuscript.
Dirty
(Slang) Possessing or using illegal drugs.
Clean
Blank
A clean page.
Dirty
Unpleasant or distasteful; thankless
Laying off workers is the dirty part of this job.
Clean
Morally pure; virtuous
Led a clean life.
Dirty
Extremely unfortunate or regrettable
A dirty shame.
Clean
Having no marks of discredit or offense
A clean voting record.
Dirty
Expressing disapproval or hostility
Gave us a dirty look.
Clean
Fit for all readers, listeners, or audiences; not ribald or obscene
A clean joke.
Dirty
Not bright and clear in color; somewhat dull or drab. Often used in combination
Dirty-blonde hair.
Dirty-green walls.
Clean
Honest or fair
A clean fighter.
A clean competition.
Dirty
Relating to or being a bomb that uses a conventional explosive and radioactive material to contaminate an area with low-level radiation.
Clean
Not carrying concealed weapons or drugs.
Dirty
Relating to or being a nuclear weapon that produces a very great amount of long-lived radioactive fallout.
Clean
Innocent of a suspected crime.
Dirty
Stormy; rough
Dirty weather.
Clean
Free from narcotics addiction.
Dirty
To make soiled.
Clean
Showing no evidence of using banned or performance-enhancing substances
Proven to be clean before the race.
Dirty
To stain or tarnish with dishonor.
Clean
So as to be unsoiled
Wash the dishes clean.
Dirty
To become soiled.
Clean
In a fair manner
Played the game clean.
Dirty
Unclean; covered with or containing unpleasant substances such as dirt or grime.
Despite a walk in the rain, my shoes weren't too dirty.
Clean
In a clean or nonpolluting manner
A fuel that burns clean.
Dirty
That makes one unclean; corrupting, infecting.
Don't put that in your mouth, dear. It's dirty.
Clean
(Informal) Entirely; wholly
Clean forgot the appointment.
Dirty
Morally unclean; obscene or indecent, especially sexually.
At the reception, Uncle Nick got drunk and told dirty jokes to the bridesmaids.
Clean
To rid of dirt, rubbish, or impurities
Clean a room.
Clean a suit.
Dirty
Dishonourable; violating accepted standards or rules.
He might have scored, but it was a dirty trick that won him the penalty.
Clean
To get rid of (impurities or dirt, for example); remove
Cleaned up the trash.
Cleaned off the stains.
Dirty
Corrupt, illegal, or improper.
I won't accept your dirty money!
Clean
To prepare (fowl or other food) for cooking, as by removing the entrails or fat.
Dirty
Out of tune.
You need to tune that guitar: the G string sounds dirty.
Clean
To remove the contents from; empty
Cleaned my plate.
Dirty
Of color, discolored by impurities.
The old flag was a dirty white.
Clean
(Sports) To lift (a barbell) from the floor to the shoulders in one motion.
Dirty
(computing) Containing data needing to be written back to memory or disk.
Occasionally it reads the sector into a dirty buffer, which means it needs to sync the dirty buffer first.
Clean
To undergo or perform an act of cleaning.
Dirty
(slang) Carrying illegal drugs among one's possessions or inside of one's bloodstream.
None of y'all get into my car if you're dirty.
Clean
Free of dirt or impurities or protruberances.
Dirty
(informal) Used as an intensifier, especially in conjunction with "great".
He lives in a dirty great mansion.
Clean
Not dirty.
Are these dishes clean?
Your room is finally clean!
Dirty
Sleety; gusty; stormy.
Dirty weather
Clean
In an unmarked condition.
Put a clean sheet of paper into the printer.
Dirty
(slang) Of an alcoholic beverage, especially a cocktail or mixed drink: served with the juice of olives.
Dirty martini
Clean
(aerodynamics) Allowing an uninterrupted flow over surfaces, without protrusions such as racks or landing gear.
Dirty
Of food, indulgent in an unhealthy way.
The waiter served dirty burgers to the customers.
Clean
(aviation) Having the undercarriage and flaps in the up position.
Dirty
Spreading harmful radiation over a wide area.
A dirty explosion
A dirty bomb
Clean
Empty.
The cargo hold is clean.
Mister, I want to see a clean dinner plate or there'll be no dessert for you.
Dirty
(aviation) Having the undercarriage or flaps in the down position.
Clean
(of metal) Having relatively few impurities.
Clean steel
Dirty
In a dirty manner.
To play dirty
Clean
Free of immorality or criminality.
Dirty
(transitive) To make (something) dirty.
Clean
Pure, especially morally or religiously.
Our kids can watch this movie because it is clean.
Dirty
(transitive) To stain or tarnish (somebody) with dishonor.
Clean
Not having used drugs or alcohol.
I've been clean this time for eight months.
Dirty
(transitive) To debase by distorting the real nature of (something).
Clean
(of criminal, driving, etc. records) Without restrictions or penalties, or someone having such a record.
Unlike you, I’ve never caused any accidents — my record is still clean!
Dirty
(intransitive) To become soiled.
Clean
(informal) Not in possession of weapons or contraband such as drugs.
I'm clean, officer. You can go ahead and search me if you want.
Dirty
Defiled with dirt; foul; nasty; filthy; not clean or pure; serving to defile; as, dirty hands; dirty water; a dirty white.
Clean
(informal) Devoid of profanity.
Dirty
Sullied; clouded; - applied to color.
Clean
Smooth, exact, and performed well.
I'll need a sharper knife to make clean cuts.
A clean leap over a fence
Dirty
Sordid; base; groveling; as, a dirty fellow.
The creature's at his dirty work again.
Clean
(obsolete) Total; utter. still in "clean sweep"
Dirty
Sleety; gusty; stormy; as, dirty weather.
Storms of wind, clouds of dust, an angry, dirty sea.
Clean
(informal) Cool or neat.
Wow, Dude, those are some clean shoes ya got there!
Dirty
To foul; to make filthy; to soil; as, to dirty the clothes or hands.
Clean
(health) Being free of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
I want to make sure my fiancé is clean before we are married.
Dirty
To tarnish; to sully; to scandalize; - said of reputation, character, etc.
Clean
That does not damage the environment.
Clean energy;
Clean coal
Dirty
Make soiled, filthy, or dirty;
Don't soil your clothes when you play outside!
Clean
Free from that which is useless or injurious; without defects.
Clean land;
Clean timber
Dirty
Soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime;
Dirty unswept sidewalks
A child in dirty overalls
Dirty slums
Piles of dirty dishes
Put his dirty feet on the clean sheet
Wore an unclean shirt
Mining is a dirty job
Cinderella did the dirty work while her sisters preened themselves
Clean
Free from restraint or neglect; complete; entire.
Dirty
(of behavior or especially language) characterized by obscenity or indecency;
Dirty words
A dirty old man
Dirty books and movies
Boys telling dirty jokes
Has a dirty mouth
Clean
Well-proportioned; shapely.
Clean limbs
Dirty
Vile; despicable;
A dirty (or lousy) trick
A filthy traitor
Clean
Ascended without falling.
Dirty
Spreading pollution or contamination; especially radioactive contamination;
The air near the foundry was always dirty
The air near the foundry was always dirty
A dirty bomb releases enormous amounts of long-lived radioactive fallout
Clean
Removal of dirt.
This place needs a clean.
Dirty
Contaminated with infecting organisms;
Dirty wounds
Obliged to go into infected rooms
Clean
(weightlifting) The first part of the event clean and jerk in which the weight is brought from the ground to the shoulders.
Dirty
(of color) discolored by impurities; not bright and clear;
Dirty
A dirty (or dingy) white
The muddied gray of the sea
Muddy colors
Dirty-green walls
Dirty-blonde hair
Clean
(transitive) To remove dirt from a place or object.
Can you clean the windows today?
Dirty
(of a manuscript) defaced with changes;
Foul (or dirty) copy
Clean
(transitive) To tidy up, make a place neat.
Clean your room right now!
Dirty
Obtained illegally or by improper means;
Dirty money
Ill-gotten gains
Clean
To remove equipment from a climbing route after it was previously lead climbed.
Dirty
Expressing or revealing hostility or dislike;
Dirty looks
Clean
(intransitive) To make things clean in general.
She just likes to clean. That’s why I married her.
Dirty
Violating accepted standards or rules;
A dirty fighter
Used foul means to gain power
A nasty unsporting serve
Fined for unsportsmanlike behavior
Clean
To remove unnecessary files, etc. from (a directory, etc.).
Dirty
Unethical or dishonest;
Dirty police officers
A sordid political campaign
Clean
To brush the ice lightly in front of a moving rock to remove any debris and ensure a correct line; less vigorous than a sweep.
Dirty
Unpleasantly stormy;
There's dirty weather in the offing
Clean
To purge a raw of any blemishes caused by the scanning process such as brown tinting and poor color contrast.
Dirty
Unethical or unfair.
That was a dirty trick to play.
Clean
(video games) clean up
Clean
To remove guts and/or scales of a butchered animal.
Clean
Fully and completely.
He was stabbed clean through.
You must be clean mad.
Clean
Free from dirt or filth; as, clean clothes.
Clean
Free from that which is useless or injurious; without defects; as, clean land; clean timber.
Clean
Free from awkwardness; not bungling; adroit; dexterous; as, a clean trick; a clean leap over a fence.
Clean
Free from errors and vulgarisms; as, a clean style.
Clean
Free from restraint or neglect; complete; entire.
When ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of corners of thy field.
Clean
Free from moral defilement; sinless; pure.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
That I am whole, and clean, and meet for Heaven
Clean
Free from ceremonial defilement.
Clean
Free from that which is corrupting to the morals; pure in tone; healthy.
Clean
Well-proportioned; shapely; as, clean limbs.
Clean
Without limitation or remainder; quite; perfectly; wholly; entirely.
All the people were passed clean over Jordan.
Clean
Without miscarriage; not bunglingly; dexterously.
Clean
To render clean; to free from whatever is foul, offensive, or extraneous; to purify; to cleanse.
Clean
A weightlift in which the barbell is lifted to shoulder height and then jerked overhead
Clean
Make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from;
Clean the stove!
The dentist cleaned my teeth
Clean
Remove unwanted substances from, such as feathers or pits;
Clean the turkey
Clean
Clean and tidy up the house;
She housecleans every week
Clean
Clean one's body or parts thereof, as by washing;
Clean up before you see your grandparents
Clean your fingernails before dinner
Clean
Be cleanable;
This stove cleans easily
Clean
Deprive wholly of money in a gambling game, robbery, etc.;
The other players cleaned him completely
Clean
Remove all contents or possession from, or empty completely;
The boys cleaned the sandwich platters
The trees were cleaned of apples by the storm
Clean
Remove while making clean;
Clean the spots off the rug
Clean
Remove unwanted substances from
Clean
Remove shells or husks from;
Clean grain before milling it
Clean
Free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits;
Children with clean shining faces
Clean white shirts
Clean dishes
A spotlessly clean house
Cats are clean animals
Clean
Free of restrictions or qualifications;
A clean bill of health
A clear winner
Clean
(of sound or color) free from anything that dulls or dims;
Efforts to obtain a clean bass in orchestral recordings
Clear laughter like a waterfall
Clear reds and blues
A light lilting voice like a silver bell
Clean
Free from impurities;
Clean water
Fresh air
Clean
Without difficulties or problems;
A clean test flight
Clean
Ritually clean or pure
Clean
Not spreading pollution or contamination; especially radioactive contamination;
A clean fuel
Cleaner and more efficient engines
The tactical bomb is reasonably clean
Clean
(of behavior or especially language) free from objectionable elements; fit for all observers;
Good clean fun
A clean joke
Clean
Free from sepsis or infection;
A clean (or uninfected) wound
Clean
Morally pure;
Led a clean life
Clean
(of a manuscript) having few alterations or corrections;
Fair copy
A clean manuscript
Clean
Of a surface; not written or printed on;
Blank pages
Fill in the blank spaces
A clean page
Wide white margins
Clean
Marked by or calling for sportsmanship or fair play;
A clean fight
A sporting solution of the disagreement
Sportsmanlike conduct
Clean
Thorough and without qualification;
A clean getaway
A clean sweep
A clean break
Clean
(of a record) having no marks of discredit or offense;
A clean voting recor
A clean driver's license
Clean
Not carrying concealed weapons
Clean
Free from clumsiness; precisely or deftly executed;
He landed a clean left on his opponent's cheek
A clean throw
The neat exactness of the surgeon's knife
Clean
Free of drugs;
After a long dependency on heroin she has been clean for 4 years
Clean
Completely; used as intensifiers;
Clean forgot the appointment
I'm plumb (or plum) tuckered out
Clean
In conformity with the rules or laws and without fraud or cheating;
They played fairly
Clean
Free from dirt or pollution.
The car looks clean after the wash.
Clean
Morally uncontaminated.
He has a clean record.
Common Curiosities
Can something be slightly dirty but mostly clean?
Yes, terms like "a bit dirty" or "mostly clean" can be used to describe such situations.
How is the term dirty used in context with language?
It can indicate something covered in filth or refer to unethical actions or inappropriate language.
Are clean and dirty always opposites?
In most contexts, yes. Clean implies the absence of contaminants while dirty indicates their presence.
Is "clean eating" about food hygiene?
Not necessarily. It often refers to consuming natural and unprocessed foods.
Can clean be used in a moral sense?
Yes, for instance, someone might have a "clean conscience."
What does "talk dirty" mean?
It refers to speaking in an explicit or sexual manner.
Can something be visibly clean but still dirty?
Yes, germs or chemicals might be present even if not visible.
Can a person be described as clean?
Yes, referring to their hygiene, habits, or moral character.
What does it mean when something is clean?
It means the object is free from dirt, stains, or pollutants.
Can the term dirty be used in technology?
Yes, like "dirty data" which refers to inaccurate or corrupted information.
How does clean energy differ from dirty energy?
Clean energy is sustainable and non-polluting, while dirty energy can be harmful to the environment.
What does "come clean" imply?
It means to confess or reveal the truth.
What does a "clean slate" mean?
It means starting over without any past mistakes or burdens.
Is "playing dirty" about cleanliness?
No, it means using unfair or unethical tactics.
Is a "dirty look" about appearance?
No, it refers to a disapproving or angry facial expression.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
