wash
wash — verb
1. to remove dirt or marks from an object or surface by rubbing it in water, often
to remove dirt or marks from an object or surface by rubbing it in water, often with soap
Gabriel washed the dishes right after dinner so they would not pile up.
wash + object (dishes, clothes, car)
The mechanic washed the grease off his hands with a special soap.
Omar always washes his car on Saturday mornings in the driveway.
Hui washed the muddy boots under the garden tap before going inside.
- wash the dishes
- wash your hands
- wash your face
- wash the car
- wash clothes
- wash the floor
- dirty
to make something unclean, the opposite action of washing
Grammar Patterns
wash + object (item being cleaned)
Usage Note
Commonly used with an adverb or preposition to show where or how the cleaning happens (wash off, wash out, wash away).
Common Mistakes
2. to use water and soap to clean yourself, including specific parts of your body s
to use water and soap to clean yourself, including specific parts of your body such as your hands or face
After the long hike, Trang washed her face with cool water from the stream.
wash + body part (face, hands, hair)
The toddler cried when his mother tried to wash his hair with shampoo.
Felipe always washes before breakfast to feel fresh for the day.
The nurse told the patient to wash between his toes carefully every day.
- wash your hands
- wash your face
- wash your hair
- wash yourself
- wash up
Grammar Patterns
wash + optional object (yourself / body part)
Usage Note
When no object is given (e.g. 'I washed and dressed quickly'), it implies washing your whole body. When a body part is named, use a possessive determiner: 'she washed her hair', not 'she washed the hair'.
Common Mistakes
3. describes how a fabric or an item of clothing reacts to being cleaned with water
describes how a fabric or an item of clothing reacts to being cleaned with water without losing colour, shape, or quality
This woollen sweater washes beautifully and stays soft even after many uses.
material + washes + adverb (well, beautifully)
The cotton bedsheets from the market did not wash well and shrank in the first cycle.
Aarav only buys clothes that wash easily without needing special care.
These jeans have washed dozens of times and still look like new.
- washes well
- washes easily
- washes beautifully
- does not wash well
- launder
more formal; 'launder' is a verb for the process, not a quality of the fabric
Grammar Patterns
wash + adverb (well, beautifully)
material + washes + adverb
Usage Note
Almost always used with an adverb such as 'well', 'badly', 'beautifully', or 'easily'. The subject is the fabric or garment, not the person washing.
Common Mistakes
4. when water moves in a particular direction, often repeatedly against a surface s
when water moves in a particular direction, often repeatedly against a surface such as a shore, rock, or wall
The river water washes over the smooth stones in the shallow part of the stream.
water + washes + preposition (over, against, through)
Élise listened to the rain washing against the bedroom window all night long.
Warm ocean water washes gently against the white sand of the beach.
Sea water washes through the narrow channel twice every day.
- wash against
- wash over
- wash through
- wash along
Grammar Patterns
water + washes + adverb/preposition (against, over, through)
Usage Note
Always used with a preposition or adverb to show direction. The subject is the water itself, not a person. Common prepositions: against, over, through, along, past.
5. when the sea or a large body of water moves something or someone from one place
when the sea or a large body of water moves something or someone from one place to another, often by pushing with waves or current
The strong current washed the small boat away from the dock during the storm.
be washed + adverb/preposition (away, ashore, out)
After the shipwreck, Christopher was washed ashore on a small island.
Erik watched the plastic bottles wash up on the beach with every high tide.
The flood waters washed the wooden bridge downstream during the night.
- wash away
- wash ashore
- wash up
- wash overboard
- wash out
Grammar Patterns
wash + object + adverb/preposition
be washed + adverb/preposition
Usage Note
Often used in the passive voice: 'was washed away/ashore/overboard'. The object being moved is typically inanimate, but can refer to a person in dramatic contexts.
wash away
phrasal verbto remove something completely, as if water carried it off; often used for feelings, memories, or physical substances
The rain washed away the chalk drawings the children had made on the pavement.
A long walk on the beach helped wash away the stress of the working week.
wash out
phrasal verbto remove a substance from a material by washing, or for a stain or colour to fade or disappear through washing
The dry cleaner could not wash out the red wine stain from the linen tablecloth.
Ayana used a special shampoo to wash out the blue dye from her hair.
wash up
phrasal verbto wash the plates, cups, and utensils after a meal
After the birthday party, Theo and his sister stayed behind to wash up all the dishes.
The kitchen rule was simple: whoever cooked did not have to wash up afterwards.
wash down
phrasal verbto drink something after eating food to help swallow it, or to clean a surface from top to bottom using water
Olivia washed down her toast with a glass of cold milk before school.
The gardener washed down the patio with a hose to remove the dust and leaves.
wash over
phrasal verbto affect someone suddenly and strongly, especially an emotion or a feeling that passes through them
A wave of relief washed over the students when the exam was finally cancelled.
Gabriel felt a deep sense of calm wash over him as he sat by the fireplace.
wash off
phrasal verbTo remove something from a surface using water or other liquid.
Please wash off the mud from your boots before entering.
The paint won't wash off easily without soap.
To talk about private or embarrassing matters in front of other people.
Mia refused to air her dirty laundry in public during the meeting.
Why did you wash your dirty linen in public at the party?
To stop being responsible for or involved with someone or something.
After the argument, Sara washed her hands of the project completely.
Diego washed his hands of his brother's financial problems.
Used to say that an explanation or excuse is not believed or accepted.
His excuse for being late simply won't wash with the manager.
That story about the dog eating your homework doesn't wash with me.
wash — noun
1. the occasion of cleaning an object or surface — for example dishes, a car, or th
the occasion of cleaning an object or surface — for example dishes, a car, or the floor — using water and often soap
Theo gave his car a good wash before the family road trip at the weekend.
give something a wash
Hui could not sleep until she had a quick wash and brushed her teeth.
The kitchen floor needs a wash after cooking a big meal with many guests.
The dog needed a wash after rolling in the mud at the park.
- have a wash
- give something a wash
- need a wash
- quick wash
Grammar Patterns
have a wash
give something a wash
Usage Note
Usually used with 'have' or 'give' ('have a wash', 'give something a wash'). British English uses this more than American English for body washing.
Common Mistakes
2. the collection of clothes, sheets, and towels that are being washed or need to b
the collection of clothes, sheets, and towels that are being washed or need to be cleaned, especially in a machine
Trang put her jeans and T-shirts into the wash before going to work.
in the wash / do the wash
Felipe separated the white wash from the dark clothes to avoid colour bleeding.
The baby's blankets are in the wash because she spilled juice on them.
Aarav sorted the wash into three piles before loading the machine.
- do the wash
- in the wash
- a load of wash
- white wash
- dark wash
- laundry
more general; 'laundry' includes dry cleaning and ironing, while 'wash' implies machine washing only
Grammar Patterns
do the wash
in the wash
Usage Note
American English uses 'the wash' where British English uses 'the washing'. Common phrases: 'do the wash', 'in the wash', 'a load of wash'.
Common Mistakes
3. a term used in British English to refer to the general activity or items involve
a term used in British English to refer to the general activity or items involved in cleaning clothes and household fabrics
Omar hung the wash on the line in the garden to dry in the afternoon sun.
hang the wash — British idiom for hanging laundry
The bed sheets are in the wash and will be ready by tomorrow morning.
The wash from the camping trip included muddy socks and wet towels.
Christopher forgot to take the wash out of the machine before work.
- in the wash
- hang out the wash
- do the wash
Usage Note
In British English, this functions as a synonym for 'washing' (the noun form). It is less common in American English where 'laundry' is preferred for this sense.
4. the activity of washing your own body, for example by having a bath, taking a sh
the activity of washing your own body, for example by having a bath, taking a shower, or cleaning just your hands or face
After working in the garden all morning, Christopher needed a good wash.
have / need a wash (body)
Aarav had a quick wash in the bathroom before the dinner guests arrived.
The hikers stopped at the stream for a wash after walking for six hours.
Erik gave his face a quick wash before meeting the neighbours.
- have a wash
- need a wash
- quick wash
- good wash
Grammar Patterns
have a wash
need a wash
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 covers washing objects (car, dishes, floor), while sense 4 is specifically for body washing. In British English, 'have a wash' almost always means cleaning yourself.
5. the task or activity of cleaning clothes, sheets, and other fabric items, typica
the task or activity of cleaning clothes, sheets, and other fabric items, typically using a washing machine
Élise does the wash every Sunday evening so her uniforms are ready for the week.
do the wash
The wash from three households filled the laundromat machines completely.
Erik forgot to take the wash out of the machine before going to bed.
Ayana does the wash on Sundays so her children have clean uniforms for Monday.
- do the wash
- take the wash out
- put the wash in
- fold the wash
- laundry
more common in American English; 'laundry' can also include dry cleaning
Grammar Patterns
do the wash
Usage Note
Frequently used in the phrase 'do the wash'. In American English, 'do the laundry' is more common. In British English, 'do the washing' is standard.
Common Mistakes
6. a thin coating of liquid — especially paint thinned with water or clean water al
a thin coating of liquid — especially paint thinned with water or clean water alone — lightly brushed onto a surface to produce a soft, see-through effect in art
The artist applied a pale blue wash to the sky before adding the clouds.
a + colour/material + wash (painting technique)
Ayana used a grey wash over the pencil drawing to give it an antique look.
A final wash of clean water over the watercolour painting softened all the edges.
- blue wash
- pale wash
- grey wash
- watercolour wash
- ink wash
- coat
thicker and more opaque; 'coat' suggests covering, not transparency
Usage Note
Domain-specific to watercolour painting. Collocates with colour words ('blue wash', 'grey wash') and 'watercolour wash'. Not used for opaque paint.
7. describes an outcome where positive and negative factors cancel one another out,
describes an outcome where positive and negative factors cancel one another out, producing no net gain or loss
We gained two new clients but lost one old one, so the quarter was a wash.
be a wash (neutral outcome)
The company spent extra on marketing but saved on rent, so the budget was a wash overall.
Gabriel won some money at poker but lost it at blackjack, so the night was a wash.
- a wash
- be a wash
- it was a wash
- turned out to be a wash
- win
a clear positive outcome, the opposite of a neutral result
Grammar Patterns
it is a wash
be a wash
Usage Note
Always used in the singular with the indefinite article: 'a wash'. Typically follows 'it is', 'it was', or 'it turned out to be'. The phrase implies no net gain or loss.
Common Mistakes
8. the soft, continuous sound made by the sea as it moves against the shore, rocks,
the soft, continuous sound made by the sea as it moves against the shore, rocks, or a boat
Omar fell asleep to the gentle wash of the waves against the wooden pier.
the wash of + sea/waves
From the cottage window, they could hear the wash of the tide on the pebbles below.
The wash of the ocean against the hull of the boat was strangely calming.
- the wash of the sea
- the wash of the waves
- the wash of the tide
- gentle wash
Grammar Patterns
the wash of the sea/waves
Usage Note
Often preceded by 'the' and followed by 'of' + noun ('the wash of the waves'). Describes the sound rather than the movement of water. Frequently used in descriptive and literary writing.
wash — adjective
1. describing a fabric, item, or surface that can be cleaned with water without bei
describing a fabric, item, or surface that can be cleaned with water without being damaged
The label on the jacket says it is machine wash, so do not hand wash it.
machine wash — care-label shorthand for washable
Naoko checked the care label and saw the words 'machine wash', so she put the blanket straight into the machine.
The store sells only machine-wash school uniforms for busy families.
Walid bought a jacket that is machine wash, so he no longer needs to visit the dry cleaner.
- machine wash
- hand wash
- wash label
- washable
the standard adjective form; 'wash' on labels is an abbreviated form
- dry-clean only
the opposite care instruction
Usage Note
This usage is most commonly seen on garment care labels or in product descriptions. It functions as a short form of 'washable', typical of clothing tags and care instructions.
wash — suffix
1. a suffix added to words describing qualities or causes, creating verbs that accu
a suffix added to words describing qualities or causes, creating verbs that accuse organisations of pretending to help or protect something while actually causing harm or doing nothing meaningful
Many companies greenwash their products by using eco-friendly labels without changing their production methods.
greenwash (environmental deception)
Critics accused the government of pinkwashing when it promoted LGBT-friendly policies while cutting social services.
The country was accused of sportswashing when it hosted a major tournament to distract from human rights issues.
Fashion brands that claim to be eco-friendly but still use harmful materials are simply greenwashing the public.
Grammar Patterns
-wash (forms verbs from adjectives and nouns)
Usage Note
A modern, productive suffix that creates new verbs by combining a value-laden word with '-wash'. Common formations: 'greenwash' (environment), 'pinkwash' (LGBT rights), 'sportswash' (image repair through sports). The '-wash' element draws from the idea of 'whitewash' (to cover up faults).
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four words involve making something clean, but they differ in method and intensity. 'Wash' (verb/1) is the most general term for using water, often with soap, to remove dirt from dishes, clothes, cars, or other objects. 'Clean' is broader and can involve non-water methods like wiping, brushing, vacuuming, or using chemicals — you can clean a keyboard with compressed air, but you cannot wash it. 'Scrub' adds physical force: scrubbing means rubbing hard with a brush or cloth to remove stuck-on dirt. 'Rinse' uses only water, usually after soaping, to remove soap residue — you rinse your hair after shampooing. 'Launder' is specific to clothes and fabrics and is more formal, often suggesting the entire process of washing, drying, and ironing. For everyday situations: 'I washed the dishes', 'I scrubbed the burnt pan', 'I rinsed the vegetables', 'I laundered the dress shirts'.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'wash' comes from Old English 'wascan' (to wash, cleanse), which goes back to the Proto-Germanic '*watskaną' (to wash), related to '*watar' (water). The Germanic root traces further to the Proto-Indo-European '*wed-' (water). English inherited the word directly from its Germanic ancestors, making 'wash' one of the oldest words in the language for cleaning with water. Related words in other Germanic languages include German 'waschen', Dutch 'wassen', and Swedish 'tvätta'. The figurative use — such as 'wash away guilt' or 'it'll all come out in the wash' — appeared by the 16th century, while modern formations like 'greenwash' emerged in the late 20th century by analogy with 'whitewash'.