cleanliness

noun

clean·​li·​ness ˈklen-lē-nəs How to pronounce cleanliness (audio)
Synonyms of cleanlinessnext
: the quality or state of being clean : the practice of keeping oneself or one's surroundings clean
Though a stale remark, it can hardly be said too often, that personal cleanliness is one of the necessary agents to health …—Walt Whitman
The Romans spent hours at their elaborate bathhouse complexes, but not everyone equated cleanliness with virtue …—Sara Ivry
This cleanliness is necessary to ensure that no dust or particles end up on the silicon surface during the processing of the chip.—Robert J. Cone

Examples of cleanliness in a Sentence

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.
How hotel cleanliness schedules vary by brand Policy is not uniform across the industry, and for travelers running multi-city weeks, the flag on the sign matters. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 The hotel passed all six surface tests during the visit and kept its AAA Diamond designation, a reassuring sign that these inspections also confirm when a property is meeting cleanliness expectations. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 The nod to purity emphasized the paint brand’s relationship to cleanliness and virtue, and possibly other notions of bigotry. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026 In addition to the cleanliness award, Starlux also received the Five Star designation from Skytrax for the second time earlier this year. — Scott Laird, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cleanliness

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cleanliness was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing cleanliness

Browse Nearby Words

clean-lined
cleanliness
cleanliness is next to godliness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cleanliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleanliness. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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