cleanly Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite habitually clean
    • cleanly in their persons and habitations
  2. adverb in an adroit manner
    flawlessly.
    • he bounced it cleanly off the wall
  3. adverb in a manner that minimizes dirt and pollution
    • the motor burns cleanly
  4. adverb without difficulty or distortion
    • she played the piano accompaniment cleanly

WordNet

Clean"ly adjective
Etymology
From Clean.
Wordforms
comparative Cleanlier ; superlative Cleanliest
Definitions
  1. Habitually clean; pure; innocent. "Cleanly joys." Glanvill.
    Some plain but cleanly country maid. Dryden.
    Displays her cleanly platter on the board. Goldsmith.
  2. Cleansing; fitted to remove moisture; dirt, etc. Obs. "With cleanly powder dry their hair." Prior.
  3. Adroit; skillful; dexterous; artful. Obs.
    Through his fine handling and his cleanly play. Spenser.
Clean"ly adverb
Definitions
  1. In a clean manner; neatly.
    He was very cleanly dressed. Dickens.
  2. Innocently; without stain. Shak.
  3. Adroitly; dexterously. Middleton.

Webster 1913