Washed Wash Clean Hands Water Face Verb Wɒʃ

• these jeans need washing.
• he always washes the car on sundays.
• to wash your hands/hair/face
• wash the fruit thoroughly before eating.

wash

Verb Forms

1. to make something/somebody clean using water and usually soap
• These jeans need washing.
• He always washes the car on Sundays.
• to wash your hands/hair/face
• Wash the fruit thoroughly before eating.
• She washed the blood from his face.
• The potatoes are washed clean without damaging the skins.

Extra Examples

• 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.
2. 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.
• She was no longer able to wash herself.
3. to be able to be washed without losing colour or being damaged
• This sweater washes well.
4. to flow or carry something/somebody in a particular direction
• Water washed over the deck.
• Pieces of the wreckage were washed ashore.
• He was washed overboard by a huge wave.
• The beach had been washed clean by the tide.
5. to discuss your personal affairs in public, especially something embarrassing
6. 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.
7. 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.

Word Origin

• Old English wæscan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wassen, German waschen, also to water.