Cleanly

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˈklÉ›nli/

From Middle English clenly, clenliche, clanly, from Old English clǣnlīc ("cleanly, pure, excellent"), equivalent to clean + -ly.

Alternative forms

• clenly

Full definition of cleanly

Adjective

1. being habitually clean, practising good hygiene
• 1653, Izaak Walton, The Compleat AnglerI'll now lead you to an honest ale-house, where we shall find a cleanly room, lavender in the windows, and twenty ballads stuck about the wall.
• Arthur Conan Doyle, The Lost WorldThere were some flat slabs of rock in the centre, with an excellent well close by, and there we sat in cleanly comfort while we made our first plans for the invasion of this new country.
2. (obsolete) Cleansing; fitted to remove moisture; dirt, etc.
• PriorWith cleanly powder dry their hair.
3. (obsolete) adroit; dexterous; artful
• SpenserThrough his fine handling and his cleanly play.

Derived terms

• cleanliness
• uncleanly

Antonyms

• uncleanly
• dirty

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈkliːnli/

From Middle English clenly, clenli, clenliche, from Old English clǣnlīċe ("cleanly"), equivalent to clean + -ly.

Adverb

1. in a clean way
2. neatlyHe was very cleanly dressed. — Dickens.
3. not causing a mess or unnecessary damageWe agreed to break off our relationship cleanly.Fortunately, the bullet passed cleanly through your shoulder.
4. innocently; without stain
5. adroitly; dexterously