A1verb1K

Wash

UK /["/wɒʃ/","/ˈwɒʃɪz/","/wɒʃt/","/ˈwɒʃɪŋ/"]/US /["/wɑːʃ/","/ˈwɑːʃɪz/","/wɑːʃt/","/ˈwɑːʃɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to make something/somebody clean using water and usually soap

In simple words: To clean something with water and soap.

Examples

  • I need to wash my hands before dinner.
  • Please wash the dishes after you finish eating.
  • She likes to wash her car every weekend.
  • The rain will wash away the dirt on the road.
  • After a long day, I just want to wash and relax.

Usage notes

Use 'wash' when referring to cleaning items or oneself. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but be careful with idiomatic uses like 'wash your hands' in health-related settings.

Grammar pattern

wash + object

Memory hint

Think of 'wash' like 'splashing' in water – imagine splashing in a pool.

Collocations

  • carefully
  • properly
  • thoroughly
  • freshly washed
  • newly washed

Synonyms

  • clean
  • rinse
  • bathe
  • scrub
  • purify

Antonyms

  • dirty
  • soil

Common mistakes

  • Confusing with 'worship' in pronunciation.
  • Using 'washed' as an intransitive verb without an object.
  • Mistaking the past tense: 'washed' does not sound like 'wash't.