Clean the Wound: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：disinfect a wound (clean the wound)

clean the wound 🔊

/kliːn ðə wuːnd/

v. phr.

To remove dirt and germs from a cut or injury to prevent infection and help it heal.

Clean the wound with running water and cloth

disinfect a wound 🔊

➕

/ˌdɪsɪnˈfekt ə wuːnd/

v. phr.

The act of removing dirt and germs from a cut or scrape to prevent infection.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Clean' (OE 'clæne') + 'wound' (OE 'wund'): action of treating injury.

💡 Mnemonic

Clean + wound = first step to heal. Picture washing a cut with soap.

📖 Example

After scraping her knee on the playground, her mother helped her clean the wound with antiseptic solution. 🔊 After scraping her knee on the playground, her mother helped her clean the wound with antiseptic solution.

🔗 Collocations

clean the wound with soap – use soap to clean a wound

clean the wound thoroughly – clean a wound completely to remove all dirt

clean the wound before bandaging – clean a wound prior to covering it with a bandage

🔄 Synonyms

disinfect a cut (v. phr.) – to apply an antiseptic to a cut to kill germs

clean an abrasion (v. phr.) – to wash a scraped area to remove impurities

sanitize an injury (v. phr.) – to make an injury free from harmful microorganisms

🚫 Antonyms

ignore a wound (v. phr.) – to leave a wound untreated, risking infection

neglect a wound (v. phr.) – to fail to care for a wound properly

dirty a wound (v. phr.) – to introduce dirt or contaminants into a wound

📖 Cultural Story

Cleaning a wound is a fundamental first-aid practice dating back to ancient times. In modern contexts, it emphasizes preventing infection, often using antiseptics like hydrogen peroxide or iodine.