rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycleanlySmoothness and precision
adverb / adjective

cleanly

KLEEN-lee/ˈkliːnli/

Without dirt, disorder, or unnecessary disturbance.

The man cuts cleanly through the paper, leaving a smooth, straight edge.

An older man cuts a sheet of blue paper cleanly with scissors, leaving a straight, smooth edge and a neatly separated strip without tears or ragged fibers.
Etymology
cleanOld Englishclean; whole, entire
+lyOld Englishin the manner of

Clean with the manner suffix did not refer only to avoiding dirt: the Old English adverb already meant “entirely, wholly.” That older breadth helps explain cleanly when it describes doing something completely.

In context

AISHAREVS1:17
the cells fit flawlessly cleanly and tightly together
Why do Honey Bees Make Hexagons When building Their Honeycombs?

More examples

  • The engine burns its fuel cleanly.
  • The gymnast landed cleanly inside the marked area.
  • Her cleanly habits kept the shared kitchen spotless.

Forms

cleanly · cleanlier · cleanliest

Similar words

neatly
Suggests tidiness or precision, while cleanly can also mean without contamination.