Clean vs. Cleaned: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 6, 2023
"Clean" is an adjective or verb describing a state of purity or act of removing dirt; "Cleaned" is the past tense of the verb form, indicating the action has occurred.
Key Differences
"Clean" and "Cleaned" both originate from the same root word but serve distinct grammatical purposes. "Clean" can function as an adjective, describing the state of something. For instance, a shirt that is free of stains is a clean shirt. On the other hand, "Cleaned" is purely a verb, and more specifically, it's the past tense of the verb "clean." If someone has taken action to remove dirt from a shirt, then they have cleaned the shirt.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
While "Clean" can illustrate the current state of an object or place, it can also denote the action in present tense. Saying "I clean my room every weekend" describes a habitual action. In contrast, "Cleaned" always references a past event. When one says "I cleaned my room last weekend," it informs that the action is complete.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
The versatility of "Clean" is noteworthy. It isn't just restricted to physical purity; it can also suggest moral purity or innocence. For example, "He has a clean record" implies the absence of criminal history. "Cleaned," being a verb, doesn't have this adaptability. It's solely about the act of cleaning and is fixed in the past.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
In a nutshell, while "Clean" can be both an action (verb) in the present or a descriptor (adjective), "Cleaned" is strictly a past-tense verb, indicating an action that has already been done.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Examples of Usage
"clean shirt," "I clean daily"
"shirt was cleaned," "I cleaned yesterday"
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Versatility
Can refer to moral purity or innocence
Refers to the act of cleaning only
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Contextual Application
Describes current state or ongoing action
Indicates an action that has been completed
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Clean and Cleaned Definitions
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Cleaned
Denotes a finished act of purification.
The water was cleaned using a filter.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Cleaned
The result of a cleaning process.
The cleaned surfaces shone brightly.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Cleaned
The consequence of removing unwanted elements.
He cleaned the list of any errors.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
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Cleaned
Free from dirt, stain, or impurities; unsoiled
A clean kitchen floor.
Clean clothes.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Free from dirt, stain, or impurities; unsoiled
A clean kitchen floor.
Clean clothes.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Cleaned
Free from foreign matter or pollution; unadulterated
Clean air.
Clean drinking water.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Free from foreign matter or pollution; unadulterated
Clean air.
Clean drinking water.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Cleaned
Producing relatively little pollution
A clean fuel.
A cleaner, more efficient engine.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Producing relatively little pollution
A clean fuel.
A cleaner, more efficient engine.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Cleaned
Producing relatively little radioactive fallout or contamination
A clean nuclear bomb.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Producing relatively little radioactive fallout or contamination
A clean nuclear bomb.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Cleaned
Having no imperfections or blemishes; regular or even
A clean edge.
A smooth, clean joint.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Having no imperfections or blemishes; regular or even
A clean edge.
A smooth, clean joint.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Cleaned
Not ornate or intricate; spare
"the clean lines and exquisite proportions of early modernism" (Judith Thurman).
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Not ornate or intricate; spare
"the clean lines and exquisite proportions of early modernism" (Judith Thurman).
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Cleaned
Fit for all readers, listeners, or audiences; not ribald or obscene
A clean joke.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Fit for all readers, listeners, or audiences; not ribald or obscene
A clean joke.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Cleaned
Showing no evidence of using banned or performance-enhancing substances
Proven to be clean before the race.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Showing no evidence of using banned or performance-enhancing substances
Proven to be clean before the race.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Cleaned
To get rid of (impurities or dirt, for example); remove
Cleaned up the trash.
Cleaned off the stains.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
To get rid of (impurities or dirt, for example); remove
Cleaned up the trash.
Cleaned off the stains.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Cleaned
To prepare (fowl or other food) for cooking, as by removing the entrails or fat.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
To prepare (fowl or other food) for cooking, as by removing the entrails or fat.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Cleaned
(Sports) To lift (a barbell) from the floor to the shoulders in one motion.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
(Sports) To lift (a barbell) from the floor to the shoulders in one motion.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Cleaned
Past tense verb indicating the act of removing dirt.
He cleaned the kitchen.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
Clean
(aerodynamics) Allowing an uninterrupted flow over surfaces, without protrusions such as racks or landing gear.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Cleaned
Indicates a completed action of making something tidy.
The house was cleaned yesterday.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
Clean
Empty.
The cargo hold is clean.
Mister, I want to see a clean dinner plate or there'll be no dessert for you.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Pure, especially morally or religiously.
Our kids can watch this movie because it is clean.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Not having used drugs or alcohol.
I've been clean this time for eight months.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
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!
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Smooth, exact, and performed well.
I'll need a sharper knife to make clean cuts.
A clean leap over a fence
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
(informal) Cool or neat.
Wow, Dude, those are some clean shoes ya got there!
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
(health) Being free of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
I want to make sure my fiancé is clean before we are married.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Free from that which is useless or injurious; without defects.
Clean land;
Clean timber
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
(weightlifting) The first part of the event clean and jerk in which the weight is brought from the ground to the shoulders.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
(transitive) To remove dirt from a place or object.
Can you clean the windows today?
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
To remove equipment from a climbing route after it was previously lead climbed.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
(intransitive) To make things clean in general.
She just likes to clean. That’s why I married her.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
To purge a raw of any blemishes caused by the scanning process such as brown tinting and poor color contrast.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Fully and completely.
He was stabbed clean through.
You must be clean mad.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Free from that which is useless or injurious; without defects; as, clean land; clean timber.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Free from awkwardness; not bungling; adroit; dexterous; as, a clean trick; a clean leap over a fence.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
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
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Free from that which is corrupting to the morals; pure in tone; healthy.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Without limitation or remainder; quite; perfectly; wholly; entirely.
All the people were passed clean over Jordan.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
To render clean; to free from whatever is foul, offensive, or extraneous; to purify; to cleanse.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
A weightlift in which the barbell is lifted to shoulder height and then jerked overhead
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from;
Clean the stove!
The dentist cleaned my teeth
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Remove unwanted substances from, such as feathers or pits;
Clean the turkey
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Clean one's body or parts thereof, as by washing;
Clean up before you see your grandparents
Clean your fingernails before dinner
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Deprive wholly of money in a gambling game, robbery, etc.;
The other players cleaned him completely
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
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
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
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
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Free of restrictions or qualifications;
A clean bill of health
A clear winner
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
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
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Not spreading pollution or contamination; especially radioactive contamination;
A clean fuel
Cleaner and more efficient engines
The tactical bomb is reasonably clean
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
(of behavior or especially language) free from objectionable elements; fit for all observers;
Good clean fun
A clean joke
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
(of a manuscript) having few alterations or corrections;
Fair copy
A clean manuscript
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Of a surface; not written or printed on;
Blank pages
Fill in the blank spaces
A clean page
Wide white margins
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Marked by or calling for sportsmanship or fair play;
A clean fight
A sporting solution of the disagreement
Sportsmanlike conduct
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Thorough and without qualification;
A clean getaway
A clean sweep
A clean break
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
(of a record) having no marks of discredit or offense;
A clean voting recor
A clean driver's license
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
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
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Free of drugs;
After a long dependency on heroin she has been clean for 4 years
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
Completely; used as intensifiers;
Clean forgot the appointment
I'm plumb (or plum) tuckered out
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Clean
In conformity with the rules or laws and without fraud or cheating;
They played fairly
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
FAQs
Is "Clean" a verb or an adjective?
"Clean" can be both a verb (to clean) and an adjective (free from dirt).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Is "Cleaned" ever used as an adjective?
Typically, "cleaned" is used as a verb, but in constructions like "cleaned surface," it functions adjectivally.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
What does "Cleaned" refer to?
"Cleaned" is the past tense of the verb "clean," indicating a past cleaning action.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
How do you use "Clean" in present tense?
As a verb, you can say "I clean my room every day."
Sara Rehman
Oct 06, 2023
Does "Clean" always mean the absence of dirt?
No, it can also mean free from unwanted elements, like "clean energy."
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
Can "Clean" refer to moral purity?
Yes, for example, "a clean record" indicates no past wrongdoings.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
If I just finished cleaning, which term should I use?
"Cleaned," as in "I just cleaned the house."
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Can "Cleaned" be used to refer to refining data or lists?
Yes, like in "I cleaned the data of any anomalies."
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
When would you use "Cleaned" in a sentence?
When referring to a past cleaning action, like "I cleaned my room."
Sara Rehman
Oct 06, 2023
Can "Clean" describe someone's health?
Yes, especially in contexts like "clean bill of health."
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
What does "cleaned up" imply?
It often means something has been made neater, tidier, or more presentable.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
If an operation removed all of a particular item, which term fits best?
"Cleaned out," like "The sale cleaned out all the stock."
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Can "Clean" indicate thoroughness?
Yes, in contexts like "a clean sweep," it indicates thoroughness.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
What does it mean if food is labeled "clean"?
It often means the food is free from artificial additives or contaminants.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
If a process has been completed and everything is orderly, which word should I use?
"Cleaned," like "The data has been cleaned and organized."
Sara Rehman
Oct 06, 2023
Can "Clean" describe a sound?
Yes, "a clean sound" often refers to a sound without distortion.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
How is "Clean" used in sports terminology?
"Clean" can indicate a flawless performance, like a "clean round" in show jumping.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
How does "Cleaned out" differ from "Cleaned"?
"Cleaned out" often means emptied completely, especially in terms of money or resources.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Can "Cleaned" indicate an act of restoration?
Yes, as in "The painting was cleaned and restored."
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
Can "Clean" describe a method or approach?
Yes, as in "a clean approach," indicating clarity and simplicity.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
