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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Vocabulary

Clean vs Cleanse

Hi,

Sorry it might b a rookie Question but what is the exact differnce between clean and cleanse ? Is there any difference or these words can be used interchangeably ? If there is no difference then are there any informal guidelines for using these words ?

I presume there must be some difference as i have never seen anyone say "I cleansed my car yesterday" Emotion: smile

Cheers !

Timmy
  

Top answer

That's a very good question! I think they mean the same thing but we use one word in some contexts and the other word in other contexts. Cleansed is not used as much as clean, at least, that's my impression.

— Nona the brit

  • That's a very good question!
  • I think they mean the same thing but we use one word in some contexts and the other word in other contexts.
  • Cleansed is not used as much as clean, at least, that's my impression.
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3 Answers
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That's a very good question!

I think they mean the same thing but we use one word in some contexts and the other word in other contexts. Cleansed is not used as much as clean, at least, that's my impression.
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so, how about purge, which comes to my mind as well as alternative for clean?
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No, purge doesn't have the same meaning as clean.

Purge from MW dictionary:

1 a : to clear of guilt b : to free from moral or ceremonial defilement
2 a : to cause evacuation from (as the bowels) b (1) : to make free of something unwanted <purge a manhole of gas> <purge yourself of fear> (2) :
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