spotless

/ˈspɒtləs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈspɑːtləs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈspät-ləs/ (ame, mw)

spotless — adjective

  • spotlesspositive
  • more spotlesscomparative
  • most spotlesssuperlative

1. so clean that every visible surface is free of any dirt, stain, or mark — for ex

1.形容詞C2
釋義

so clean that every visible surface is free of any dirt, stain, or mark — for example, a kitchen floor that has been scrubbed until it looks new.

例句

Mei-Lin scrubbed the kitchen floor until it was spotless, then polished the countertops.

The hotel bathroom was spotless, with gleaming tiles and fresh white towels.

同義詞
  • immaculate

    suggests a state of perfect cleanliness approaching newness, often with elegance

  • pristine

    describes something that looks untouched or brand-new, rather than just cleaned

  • sparkling

    focuses on a bright, shiny quality; can describe surfaces that glisten

  • gleaming

    emphasises reflected light from a polished or washed surface

反義詞
  • dirty

    not at all clean; covered in dirt or marks

  • filthy

    extremely dirty

  • grimy

    covered with a layer of ingrained dirt or soot

用法筆記

Frequently used with intensifiers such as 'absolutely' or 'completely' (e.g. 'absolutely spotless'). Unlike 'clean', which can describe a range of states, 'spotless' implies a perfect, inspection-ready level of cleanliness.

常見錯誤

❌I wiped the table until it was spotless, but there was still a crumb on it.
✅I wiped the table until it was clean, but there was still a crumb on it.
💡If any dirt remains, the surface is not truly spotless.

2. used about someone’s character, personal history, or reputation when it has no m

2.形容詞B2
釋義

used about someone’s character, personal history, or reputation when it has no moral faults, dishonest actions, or embarrassing secrets that would cause others to think badly of them.

例句

The retired judge had kept a spotless reputation for honesty over forty years on the bench.

spotless reputation — most common collocation for this sense

Kwame’s spotless driving record meant his insurance company gave him the lowest rate.

同義詞
  • impeccable

    similar level of perfection but more formal; often used with 'taste', 'manners', 'credentials'

  • blameless

    emphasises freedom from guilt rather than achievement; often used of a person directly

  • untarnished

    suggests a reputation that has survived attempts to damage it

  • unsullied

    literary or formal; suggests a purity that has never been touched by wrongdoing

反義詞
  • corrupt

    morally depraved or dishonest; the opposite of an honourable character

  • tainted

    spoiled by a small amount of wrongdoing or scandal

  • dishonourable

    lacking moral integrity; bringing shame

用法筆記

Subject is typically an abstract noun such as 'reputation', 'record', 'career', 'history', or 'character'. Rarely used with concrete nouns in this sense. Frequently appears in formal or journalistic contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The CEO had a spotless record but was fired for stealing.
✅The CEO had an unblemished record until the theft was discovered.
💡Once wrongdoing is proven, the record is no longer spotless.