wash
verb /wɒʃ/
/wɑːʃ/
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they wash | /wɒʃ/ /wɑːʃ/ |
| he / she / it washes | /ˈwɒʃɪz/ /ˈwɑːʃɪz/ |
| past simple washed | /wɒʃt/ /wɑːʃt/ |
| past participle washed | /wɒʃt/ /wɑːʃt/ |
| -ing form washing | /ˈwɒʃɪŋ/ /ˈwɑːʃɪŋ/ |
- [transitive] to make something/somebody clean using water and usually soap
- wash something/somebody These jeans need washing.
- He always washes the car on Sundays.
- to wash your hands/hair/face
- Wash the fruit thoroughly before eating.
- wash something from something She washed the blood from his face.
- wash something/somebody + adj. The potatoes are washed clean without damaging the skins.
Synonyms cleanclean- wash
- rinse
- cleanse
- dry-clean
- clean to remove dirt or dust from something, especially by using water or chemicals:
- The villa is cleaned twice a week.
- Have you cleaned your teeth?
- This coat is filthy. I’ll have it cleaned (= dry-cleaned).
- wash to remove dirt from something using water and usually soap:
- He quickly washed his hands and face.
- These jeans need washing.
- rinse to remove dirt, etc. from something using clean water only, not soap; to remove the soap from something with clean water after washing it:
- Make sure you rinse all the soap out.
- cleanse to clean your skin or a wound.
- dry-clean to clean clothes using chemicals instead of water.
- to clean/wash/rinse/cleanse something in/with something
- to clean/wash/rinse something from something
- to clean/wash/cleanse a wound
- to clean/wash the car/floor
- to wash/rinse your hair
- to have something cleaned/washed/dry-cleaned
Extra ExamplesTopics Houses and homesa1- Hands need to be washed regularly with hot water.
- She gently washed and dressed the wound.
- the smell of freshly washed hair
- He quickly washed his hands and face.
- He washed his face.
- If you wash the dishes, I'll dry.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- carefully
- properly
- thoroughly
- …
- freshly washed
- newly washed
- [intransitive, transitive] (especially British English) to make yourself clean using water and usually soap
- By this time we were already washed and dressed.
- I washed and changed before going out.
- Mick woke up, got washed and shaved, and put his work clothes on.
- wash yourself She was no longer able to wash herself.
- [intransitive] (+ adv./prep.) (of clothes, cloth, etc.) to be able to be washed without losing colour or being damaged
- This sweater washes well.
- [intransitive, transitive] (of water) to flow or carry something/somebody in a particular direction
- + adv./prep. Water washed over the deck.
- wash something/somebody + adv./prep. Pieces of the wreckage were washed ashore.
- He was washed overboard by a huge wave.
- wash something + adj. The beach had been washed clean by the tide.
Word OriginOld English wæscan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wassen, German waschen, also to water.
Idioms
air/wash your dirty laundry/linen in public
- (disapproving) to discuss your personal affairs in public, especially something embarrassing
wash your hands of somebody/something
- to refuse to be responsible for or involved with somebody/something
- When her son was arrested again she washed her hands of him.
- I’ve washed my hands of the whole sordid business.
something won’t/doesn’t wash (with somebody)
- used to say that somebody’s explanation, excuse, etc. is not true or that you/somebody else will not accept it
- That excuse simply won't wash with me.