washing
/'wɔʃiɳ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The act or process of cleaning something with water and usually soap or detergent: This refers to the activity of washing.
- A quantity of clothes, linens, or other items that are to be, are being, or have been washed: This refers to the items themselves.
Examples of Usage
Noun (Act/Process):
- She does the washing every Sunday. (She performs the laundry cleaning every Sunday.)
- Hand washing is important for good hygiene. (The act of cleaning hands is important for good hygiene.)
Noun (Items):
- He hung the washing on the line to dry. (He hung the laundered items on the line to dry.)
- There is a large pile of washing to be done. (There is a large pile of items needing to be laundered.)
Advanced Usage
"To do the washing": to launder clothes or linens.
- I need to do the washing before we go on vacation. (I need to launder the clothes before we go on vacation.)
"In the washing": being in the process of being laundered.
- My favorite shirt is in the washing. (My favorite shirt is currently being laundered.)
Variants and Related Words
- Wash (verb/noun): The base form. As a verb: to clean with water and soap. As a noun: an act of washing or a location where washing occurs (e.g., car wash).
- Washer (noun): A machine for washing clothes; also a small flat ring used in plumbing.
- Washable (adjective): Capable of being washed without damage.
Synonyms
- Laundry: Clothes and linens that need washing or have been washed; also the room or place where washing is done.
- Cleaning: The general act of making something clean.
- Rinsing: Washing with clean water to remove soap.
Related Phrases
Washing-up (British English): The act of washing dishes, pans, etc., after a meal.
- It's your turn to do the washing-up. (It's your turn to wash the dishes.)
Washing machine: An electric appliance for washing laundry.
- The new washing machine is very quiet. (The new laundry appliance is very quiet.)
Related Idioms
Come out in the wash: (Informal) To be resolved satisfactorily in the end; problems will be solved.
- Don't worry about the details; it will all come out in the wash. (Don't worry; everything will be resolved satisfactorily.)
Wash one's hands of something: To refuse to accept responsibility for something any longer.
- After the argument, he washed his hands of the entire project. (After the argument, he refused to be responsible for the project.)
Noun
- garments or white goods that can be cleaned by laundering
- the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)