wash
13 ENTRIES FOUND:
washes;
washed;
washing
washes;
washed;
washing
Britannica Dictionary definition of WASH
1
:
to clean (something) with water and usually soap
[+ object]
-
wash clothes
-
wash the windows
-
wash your hair
-
We have to wash the dishes.
-
Did you wash your hands?
-
Wash [=rinse] the vegetables in the sink.
[no object]
-
Tell the kids to please wash [=to wash their hands, faces, etc.] before eating.
-
That shirt washes well. [=that shirt can be washed easily and without being damaged]
2
a
[+ object]
:
to carry (something) by the movement of water
-
The flooding washed sand and silt all over the area.
-
A sailor was washed overboard [=knocked off the ship and into the water] during the storm.
-
A lot of debris was washed ashore [=brought onto the shore by waves] during the storm.
-
The house is in danger of being washed out to sea. [=being carried out to sea by the movement of the water]
b
[no object]
:
to be carried by the movement of water
-
The pollution washes into rivers from nearby factories.
3
[no object]
:
to move by flowing
-
Water washed over the deck of the ship.
-
Waves washed up onto the beach.
4
[no object]
informal
:
to be believable or acceptable
— usually used in negative statements
-
That story won't wash. [=that story is not believable]
-
These claims won't wash. [=these are not believable claims]
-
Blaming her poor grades on the teacher just doesn't wash. [=is not acceptable]
wash away
[phrasal verb]
1
wash (something) away
or
wash away (something)
:
to carry (something) away by the movement of water
-
The waves at high tide washed our beach towels away.
-
The footprints in the sand were washed away.
-
The bridge was washed away by flooding last year.
-
Heavy rain washed away the grass seed.
2
:
to get rid of (something, such as unhappy or unpleasant thoughts) completely
-
Take a vacation to wash away your troubles.
wash down
[phrasal verb]
1
wash (something) down
or
wash down (something)
:
to clean (something) with water
-
We'll have to wash down the walls before we paint them.
2
:
to drink something after eating (food)
-
The kids washed down their cookies with milk.
wash off
[phrasal verb]
1
wash (something) off
or
wash off (something)
:
to clean (something) by using water
-
Wash the mud off the bikes before you put them away.
2
:
to be able to be removed or cleaned by washing
-
This makeup washes off easily.
-
Does that ink wash off?
wash out
[phrasal verb]
1
:
to be able to be removed or cleaned by washing
-
The wine stain won't wash out.
2
wash (something) out
or
wash out (something)
a
:
to clean the inside of (something, such as a cup or pot) with water
-
Just wash out the coffee cups before you go.
b
:
to damage or carry away (something) by the force of moving water
-
The flooding river washed out the bridge.
-
The flood washed out the road.
c
:
to cause (something, such as a sports event) to be stopped or canceled because of rain
-
Rain washed out Friday's game.
-
This weekend's game was washed out.
3
US, informal
:
to fail to successfully complete a course of training because you do not have the necessary qualities, skills, or abilities
—
see also washout
-
This program is so tough, at least 30 percent of the students will wash out before the end of the first year.
wash over
[phrasal verb]
1
wash over (someone or something)
:
to affect or be felt by (someone) thoroughly and deeply
-
A deep sadness suddenly washed over me.
-
I felt relief washing over me.
-
Just close your eyes and let the music wash over you.
2
:
to appear on (a person's face) suddenly
-
A look of surprise washed over his face.
wash up
[phrasal verb]
1
:
to be carried by the movement of water to the shore
-
Trash washed up on the beach after the storm.
2
US
:
to wash your hands, face, etc.
-
It will just take me a minute to wash up and then we can go.
3
chiefly British
:
to wash the dishes after a meal
-
I cooked dinner and he washed up afterwards.
wash your hands of
:
to say or decide that you will no longer deal with or be responsible for (someone or something) because you are angry, disgusted, etc.
:
to refuse to be involved with (something or someone) anymore
-
I've tried to help them and they won't listen to me, so I'm washing my hands of the whole mess.
2
wash
/ˈwɑːʃ/
noun
plural
washes
2
wash
/ˈwɑːʃ/
noun
plural
washes
Britannica Dictionary definition of WASH
1
[count]
:
an act of cleaning something by using water and soap
:
an act of washing something
— usually singular
-
My car needs a wash. [=needs to be washed]
-
(Brit) I'll have a quick wash [=(US) I'll wash up] before dinner.
2
[singular]
:
a group of clothes, towels, sheets, etc., that are being washed or that are going to be washed
:
laundry
-
My jeans are in the wash.
-
(Brit) I'll put a wash on [=I'll put laundry in the washing machine] when I get home.
3
[singular]
:
the movement of water
-
We could hear the wash of the waves against the rocks.
especially
:
the waves made in the water after a moving boat passes by
-
The wash from speedboats is dangerous for swimmers.
4
5
[count]
b
:
a soap or lotion for the skin
-
an antibacterial skin wash
6
[singular]
US, informal
:
a situation in which losses and gains balance each other
-
You won the first game and I won the second, so it's a wash. [=we are even]
-
The price is less online than at the store, but once you add shipping costs, it's a wash. [=the two prices are about the same]
it will all come out in the wash
informal
1
— used to say that a problem is not serious and will be solved in the future
-
Don't worry about it. It will all come out in the wash.
2
— used to say that the truth will be known in the future
-
No one knows who was responsible, but surely it will all come out in the wash.
