Definition

The act of making something free from dirt or mess.

Example

I spent the whole afternoon cleaning the house.

Conversation

I spent my whole Saturday on cleaning the house.

Wow, that sounds like a big task!

Yeah, it really was, but it feels great to have everything organized after the cleaning.

I can imagine! A clean space makes such a difference.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To make something free of dirt, marks, or mess; to remove unwanted substances from a surface or area.

Example

I am cleaning my room today.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I spent the whole day cleaning my room yesterday.

Wow, that sounds like a big task!

It was, but it feels great to have everything organized after cleaning.

Root Explanation

Cleaning → It is formed from "clean" (from Old English *clæne*, meaning free from dirt or impurities) and "-ing" (a suffix used to form nouns indicating an action or process). The word "cleaning" refers to the action or process of making something free from dirt or impurities.

Memory Tip

Think of making something 'free from dirt' ('clean') — and the '-ing' shows it's an action. This helps you remember that 'cleaning' is the process of making something clean.

Visually Confused Words