Wash (Verb)
Meaning 1
Cleanse (one's body) with soap and water.
Classification
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.
Examples
- She liked to wash her face with cold water every morning to wake herself up.
- After a long day at the construction site, he needed to wash the dirt off his body.
- Before sitting down for dinner, the kids were told to wash their hands thoroughly.
- It was a habit for her to wash her hair twice a week to keep it looking shiny and healthy.
- The doctor advised him to wash his injured hand gently with soap and water two times a day.
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Meaning 2
Clean with some chemical process.
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The mechanic had to wash the car thoroughly before applying the new coat of wax.
- She decided to wash the stained shirt in cold water with laundry detergent.
- The old painting was gently washed with a mixture of soap and water to remove the dirt.
- His hands were washed with antibacterial soap to prevent infection.
- The engineer carefully washed the equipment in acetone to remove the stubborn grime.
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Meaning 3
Wash or flow against; "the waves laved the shore".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- Warm sunlight washes the calming landscape, a serene contrast to the turmoil within.
- The waves crashed against the shore, and the foamy water washed against the pebbles.
- The gentle stream washed against the large rocks that scattered the riverbed.
- Soft music washed over the evening crowd, setting a tranquil mood.
- The setting sun's warm light washed against the delicate petals of the lotus flowers that bloomed in the pond.
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Meaning 4
Separate dirt or gravel from (precious minerals).
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- Panning for gold requires skill to wash away the sediment and leave the metal behind.
- The heavy machinery was used to wash the gravel and separate the valuable minerals from the waste.
- They had to wash the soil to find any diamonds that may be present.
- To extract the gold flakes, you'll need to wash the gravel in a series of craters and channels.
- Miners use water to wash away the dirt from the gemstones and make them easier to identify.
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Meaning 5
Cleanse with a cleaning agent, such as soap, and water; "Wash the towels, please!".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- Wash the dishes after every meal to prevent a big pileup.
- She made sure to wash her hands before preparing dinner.
- Please wash the car at least once a week to keep it clean.
- Wash your face twice a day with a mild soap to prevent acne.
- Mom will wash the dirty clothes as soon as the laundry room is empty.
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Meaning 6
Apply a thin coating of paint, metal, etc., to.
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The metal frame was given a light wash of silver to make it more decorative.
- The canvas was treated with a thin wash of ultramarine blue to achieve the desired hue.
- The artist applied a wash of transparent ink to the entire drawing.
- A wash of clear lacquer was used to seal the surface of the wooden table.
- The small plastic figurines received a delicate wash of metallic paint to give them a worn look.
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Meaning 7
Move by or as if by water; "The swollen river washed away the footbridge".
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- Heavy rain washed the dirt off the pavement and into the storm drains.
- A massive wave washed over the sea wall, flooding the coastal town.
- The morning dew washed away the bloodstains on the steps, leaving no evidence.
- The huge storm washed debris onto the beaches for miles.
- A strong gust of wind washed the petals off the delicate flowers.
Hypernyms
Meaning 8
Make moist; "The dew moistened the meadows".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The morning fog washes the city's streets clean.
- The spring rain washes the dust off the leaves.
- A gentle stream washes the rocks smooth over time.
- A light drizzle washes away the lingering heat of the day.
- A soft, grey mist washes over the rolling hills.
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Meaning 9
Admit to testing or proof; "This silly excuse won't wash in traffic court".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The judge wasn't going to let their questionable alibi wash with her.
- This half-hearted apology won't wash with the offended guests.
- The politician's vague answers won't wash with the press.
- Their flimsy excuse for missing work won't wash with their supervisor.
- The company's claims about their product's environmental benefits won't wash with eco-activists.
Meaning 10
To cleanse (itself or another animal) by licking; "The cat washes several times a day".
Classification
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.
Examples
- The dog washes its paws every morning after a walk in the muddy park.
- The mother cat gently washes her kittens to keep them clean and healthy.
- Wild rabbits often wash their faces to remove dirt and debris.
- Prideful peacocks take time to wash their vibrant feathers daily.
- Before eating, many animals wash their faces and paws as a natural instinct.
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Meaning 11
Be capable of being washed; "Does this material wash?".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- Does this material wash or will it shrink after being exposed to water?
- These curtains are made of a delicate fabric that does not wash well in a washing machine.
- The label says this sweater is machine wash but hand wash is recommended to preserve its color.
- Will this fabric wash clean or is it prone to staining easily?
- Is this tablecloth made of a material that can wash and re-use multiple times?
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Meaning 12
Form by erosion; "The river washed a ravine into the mountainside".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- Erosion over years washed a deep gorge into the rocky landscape.
- Constant tidal action washed a natural tunnel into the cliffside.
- Heavy waves washed an arch into the soft limestone coast.
- Millions of years of torrents washed a rugged passage into the sandstone hill.
- Frozen water flows washed an impressive cavern into the rear of the glacier.
Hypernyms
Meaning 13
Remove by the application of water or other liquid and soap or some other cleaning agent; "he washed the dirt from his coat"; "The nurse washed away the blood"; "Can you wash away the spots on the windows?"; "he managed to wash out the stains".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- She carefully washed away the dirt from her hands before preparing dinner.
- He washed the stains from his favorite shirt after spilling wine on it.
- The mechanic managed to wash out the grease from the old engine.
- The nurse gently washed the wound with antibacterial soap and water.
- After the hike, the hikers washed the mud from their boots before coming inside.