wash
wash /ˈwɑːʃ/
noun
-
(
)
A thin coat of water-base paint
(
wash
)
a thin coat of water-base paint
She rinsed the dishes in the wash basin.
She rinsed the dishes in the wash basin.
-
()
The work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)
(
lavation
, wash
, washing
)
the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)
I need to do my washing this weekend; my clothes basket is overflowing.
I need to do my washing this weekend; my clothes basket is overflowing.
-
()
The dry bed of an intermittent stream (as at the bottom of a canyon)
(
dry wash
, wash
)
the dry bed of an intermittent stream (as at the bottom of a canyon)
The flash flood transformed the dry wash into a rushing river, reshaping the desert landscape.
The flash flood transformed the dry wash into a rushing river, reshaping the desert landscape.
-
[Informal, N. American]
Any enterprise in which losses and gains cancel out
(
wash
[Informal, N. American] )
any enterprise in which losses and gains cancel out
At the end of the year the accounting department showed that it was a wash
at the end of the year the accounting department showed that it was a wash
-
Garments or white goods that can be cleaned by laundering
(
wash
, washables
, washing
, laundry
)
garments or white goods that can be cleaned by laundering
I do my laundry in the utility room
I do my laundry in the utility room
-
A watercolor made by applying a series of monochrome washes one over the other
(
wash
, wash drawing
)
a watercolor made by applying a series of monochrome washes one over the other
-
The flow of air that is driven backwards by an aircraft propeller
(
airstream
, backwash
, race
, slipstream
, wash
)
the flow of air that is driven backwards by an aircraft propeller
-
The erosive process of washing away soil or gravel by water (as from a roadway)
(
wash
, washout
)
the erosive process of washing away soil or gravel by water (as from a roadway)
From the house they watched the washout of their newly seeded lawn by the water
from the house they watched the washout of their newly seeded lawn by the water
verb
-
()
Clean with some chemical process
(
rinse
, wash
)
clean with some chemical process
I rinse my clothes thoroughly after washing them in the utility room
I rinse my clothes thoroughly after washing them in the utility room
-
()
Cleanse (one's body) with soap and water
(
lave
, wash
)
cleanse (one's body) with soap and water
She carefully washed her hands before preparing the food.
She carefully washed her hands before preparing the food.
-
()
Cleanse with a cleaning agent, such as soap, and water
(
launder
, wash
)
cleanse with a cleaning agent, such as soap, and water
Wash the towels, please!
Wash the towels, please!
-
()
Move by or as if by water
(
wash
)
move by or as if by water
The swollen river washed away the footbridge
The swollen river washed away the footbridge
-
To cleanse (itself or another animal) by licking
(
wash
)
to cleanse (itself or another animal) by licking
The cat washes several times a day
The cat washes several times a day
-
Wash or flow against
(
lap
, lave
, wash
)
wash or flow against
The waves laved the shore
the waves laved the shore
-
Make moist
(
wash
, dampen
, moisten
)
make moist
The dew moistened the meadows
The dew moistened the meadows
-
Form by erosion
(
wash
)
form by erosion
The river washed a ravine into the mountainside
The river washed a ravine into the mountainside
-
Remove by the application of water or other liquid and soap or some other cleaning agent
(
wash
, wash away
, wash off
, wash out
)
remove by the application of water or other liquid and soap or some other cleaning agent
He washed the dirt from his coat
he washed the dirt from his coat
The nurse washed away the blood
The nurse washed away the blood
Can you wash away the spots on the windows?
Can you wash away the spots on the windows?
He managed to wash out the stains
he managed to wash out the stains
-
Apply a thin coating of paint, metal, etc., to
(
wash
)
apply a thin coating of paint, metal, etc., to
-
Separate dirt or gravel from (precious minerals)
(
wash
)
separate dirt or gravel from (precious minerals)
-
[Informal]
Admit to testing or proof
(
wash
[Informal] )
admit to testing or proof
This silly excuse won't wash in traffic court
This silly excuse won't wash in traffic court
-
Be capable of being washed
(
wash
)
be capable of being washed
Does this material wash?
Does this material wash?
