cleanly

1 of 2

adverb

clean·​ly ˈklēn-lē How to pronounce cleanly (audio)
Synonyms of cleanlynext
: in a clean manner

cleanly

2 of 2

adjective

clean·​ly ˈklen-lē How to pronounce cleanly (audio)
cleanlier; cleanliest
1
: careful to keep clean : fastidious
2
: habitually kept clean

Synonyms of cleanly

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Adverb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of cleanly in a Sentence

Adverb A sharp knife will cut through the skin of a tomato cleanly. This fuel burns more cleanly than other fuels.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
If the third baseman had fielded the ball cleanly, the Yankees would have escaped the inning with a double play and still led 2-0. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 26 June 2026 With two outs, Kyle Teel hit a slow grounder that shortstop Gunnar Henderson couldn’t field cleanly. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026
Adjective
Whoever wins cleanly leaves with both the championship belts. — Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 The folding handles close away neatly into side recesses to create flush sides that store cleanly side by side. — New Atlas, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for cleanly

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cleanly was in the 13th century

Rhymes for cleanly

See All Rhymes for cleanly

Browse Nearby Words

clean-living
cleanly
clean-mouthed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cleanly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleanly. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cleanly

1 of 2 adverb
clean·​ly ˈklēn-lē How to pronounce cleanly (audio)
: in a clean manner

cleanly

2 of 2 adjective
clean·​ly ˈklen-lē How to pronounce cleanly (audio)
cleanlier; cleanliest
1
: careful to keep clean
a cleanly animal
2
: being kept clean by habit
cleanly surroundings
cleanliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on cleanly

Nglish: Translation of cleanly for Spanish Speakers

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