uncleanly
|un-clean-ly|
/ʌnˈkliːnli/
in a dirty way
Etymology
'uncleanly' originates from English, specifically formed from the adjective 'unclean' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly', where 'un-' meant 'not', 'clean' meant 'clean', and '-ly' meant 'in the manner of'.
'unclean' came from Old English 'unclēne' (un- + clēne), and the adverbial form developed in Middle English by adding '-ly', eventually becoming the modern English 'uncleanly'.
Initially it described something 'not clean' in a physical sense; over time it came also to be used in moral/literary senses meaning 'morally impure' or 'indecent', while retaining the basic sense 'in a dirty way'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a dirty or unhygienic manner; not cleanly.
He handled the food uncleanly, without washing his hands first.
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Adverb 2
(archaic or literary) In a morally impure or indecent manner.
The sermon condemned those who lived uncleanly and without repentance.
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Last updated: 2025/12/31 19:58