wash
A2Neutral; common in all registers
Definition
Meaning
to clean with water and usually soap or detergent
to clean oneself or something else; to flow against or over something; to cover with a thin layer (e.g., paint); to be accepted as convincing or true (informal)
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, 'wash' implies using water (or another liquid) and often a cleaning agent. It can be transitive ('wash the car') or intransitive ('the fabric washes well'). It extends metaphorically to mean 'remove guilt' ('wash away your sins') and 'hold up under scrutiny' ('that excuse won't wash').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'have a wash' is a common phrase for washing oneself. In American English, 'wash up' typically means to wash one's hands/face, while in British English it can mean to wash dishes. The noun 'the wash' referring to laundry is common in AmE.
Connotations
Neutral in both dialects. Slight regional variation: in parts of the US (especially the Midwest), 'wash' may be pronounced with an intrusive 'r' (warsh).
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both dialects. 'Do the washing' (BrE) vs. 'do the laundry' (AmE).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VN] wash something[V] wash (intransitive)[VN-ADJ] wash something clean[V-ADJ] wash clean easily[V prep/adv] wash over/across/awayVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “wash your hands of something”
- “it will all come out in the wash”
- “wash over someone”
- “a wash-out”
- “won't wash”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
cash flow wash (financial offsetting), 'The transaction was a wash.'
Academic
Used in geology ('glacial wash'), chemistry ('wash bottle'), art ('a wash of colour').
Everyday
Cleaning objects, body parts, laundry.
Technical
In photography ('wash stage of development'), engineering ('air wash'), mining ('ore wash').
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- I put the whites in for a hot wash.
- The car needs a good wash.
American English
- My jeans are in the wash.
- That colour fastness survived the wash.
verb
British English
- I'll just have a quick wash before dinner.
- Can you wash up? The plates are in the sink.
American English
- Go wash your hands.
- I need to wash my car this weekend.
adjective
British English
- A wash basin is in the corner.
- Use a wash leather for the windows.
American English
- The wash cloth is hanging on the rack.
- Check the wash instructions on the tag.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Wash your hands with soap.
- She washes the apples before eating them.
- This new fabric washes at low temperatures without shrinking.
- The guilt he felt could not be washed away.
- The incoming tide washed over our footprints on the sand.
- His dubious explanation simply wouldn't wash with the committee.
- The artist applied a thin wash of blue to suggest the distant mountains.
- The financial losses from the two ventures cancelled each other out, resulting in a net wash.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
WASH sounds like SPLASH – you need water to wash.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLEAN IS MORAL (wash away your sins), VALIDITY IS CLEANLINESS (that argument doesn't wash), EXPERIENCE IS A FLUID (a feeling washed over me).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not use 'wash' for cleaning a room with a cloth/dry method (use 'wipe' or 'clean').
- Avoid using 'wash yourself' for 'take a shower/bath' (use 'have a shower/wash').
- In Russian, 'стирать' primarily means laundry; in English, 'wash' is broader.
Common Mistakes
- *I washed the dust from the table. (Use 'wiped')
- *I need to wash myself. (Sounds unnatural; use 'I need to wash up' or 'have a wash')
- Confusing 'wash' (process) with 'laundry' (the items).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase means 'to decide to no longer be involved with or responsible for something'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Wash' specifically involves using water or liquid. 'Clean' is more general and can involve dusting, wiping, or organizing without water.
Yes. In AmE, it usually means washing one's hands and face. In BrE, it commonly means washing dishes.
Yes. It can refer to the act of washing ('Give the car a wash'), laundry ('My shirt is in the wash'), or a thin layer of colour/water.
It's an informal idiom meaning an excuse, argument, or story is not convincing or acceptable.
Collections
Part of a collection
Body and Health
A1 · 49 words · Parts of the body and basic health vocabulary.
Daily Routine
A1 · 50 words · Words for describing your everyday activities and schedule.