[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/unclean/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [U](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/u/) / unclean # unclean adjective (unclean, more unclean, most unclean) «unclean» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. Dirty; not washed or not clean. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unclean/#m1) 2. (Bible, church) In old religious laws, not pure, so a person or thing had to be kept apart or washed in a special way before taking part in worship. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unclean/#m2) 3. Morally bad or wicked, in old or religious writing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unclean/#m3) ### In the lessons In everyday life it is a stiff word for «dirty», often about water, hands or places where germs could spread. In Bible lessons it describes animals people were told not to eat, or people who had touched something forbidden, and Jesus touching an «unclean» person shows kindness breaking rules. Phrases: unclean water, unclean hands, unclean spirit. ### Examples - Do not drink unclean water from the pond. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unclean/#x1) - The nurse said unclean hands spread germs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unclean/#x2) - In the old law, pigs were called unclean animals. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unclean/#x3) - The story tells of a man with an unclean spirit. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unclean/#x4) - The kitchen was left unclean after the party. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unclean/#x5) - People with skin disease were called unclean and had to live apart. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unclean/#x6) - Unclean tools can make a cut infected. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unclean/#x7) - The Unclean Spirit will have to disappear." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unclean/#x8) ### Note It is formal or old-fashioned; in everyday talk say «dirty». It is the opposite of «clean» with the prefix «un-» meaning «not». The religious sense is about rules of purity, not just dirt. ## In Jewish tradition Unclean means in a state of ritual impurity that stops a person or thing from the Sanctuary, not simply dirty. The Prophets and Writings also use it for foods not allowed, and for moral badness, as when people are called unclean and impure. **Interpretation.** Tradition teaches that uncleanness is not sin or dirt but a state from touching death, disease or certain bodily conditions, ended by waiting or washing. Job's question, who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean, is read as speaking of human weakness. ### Examples - But whensoever raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean. (Torah LEV.13.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/unclean/#x1) - And every open vessel, which hath no covering close-bound upon it, is unclean. (Torah NUM.19.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/unclean/#x2) - And what saddle soever he that hath the issue rideth upon shall be unclean. (Torah LEV.15.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/unclean/#x3) - Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. (Writings JOB.14.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/unclean/#x4) - Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing. (Prophets JDG.13.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/unclean/#x5) - Every one of them is unclean, they are together become impure; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Writings PSA.53.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/unclean/#x6) ### Note It is formal or old-fashioned; in everyday talk say «dirty». It is the opposite of «clean» with the prefix «un-» meaning «not». The religious sense is about rules of purity, not just dirt. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «unclean» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unclean/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«unclean» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/unclean.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «unclean» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/unclean/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«unclean» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/unclean.html) on Mova free.