Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 PHRASAL VERB If you wash up , you wash the plates, cups, cutlery, and pans which have been used for cooking and eating a meal. [BRIT ] □ [V P ] I ran some hot water and washed up. □ [V P n] I bet you make breakfast and wash up their plates, too. [Also V n P ] in AM, use wash the dishes 2 PHRASAL VERB If you wash up , you clean part of your body with soap and water, especially your hands and face. [AM ] □ [V P ] He headed to the bathroom to wash up. in BRIT, use wash 3 PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If something is washed up on a piece of land, it is carried by a river or sea and left there. □  Thousands of herring and crab are washed up on the beaches during every storm. □ [V -ed P ] The fossils appear to be an early form of seaweed washed up on a beach.

4 → see also washed up , washing-up

wash|able /wɒ ʃəb ^ə l/ ADJ Washable clothes or materials can be washed in water without being damaged. □  Choose washable curtains.

wash|basin /wɒ ʃbe I s ^ə n/ (washbasins ) also wash basin N‑COUNT A washbasin is a large bowl, usually with taps for hot and cold water, for washing your hands and face. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use sink

wash|cloth /wɒ ʃklɒθ, [AM ] -klɔːθ/ (washcloths ) N‑COUNT A washcloth is a small cloth that you use for washing yourself. [AM ] in BRIT, use flannel , facecloth

wa shed-ou t also washed out

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Washed-out colours are very pale. □  He stared at me out of those washed-out blue eyes.

2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone looks washed-out , they look very tired and lacking in energy. □  She looked washed out and listless.

wa shed u p also washed-up ADJ If you say that someone is washed up , you mean that their career or success has ended. [INFORMAL ] □  He's all washed up, but he still yells at everyone.

wash|er /wɒ ʃə ^r / (washers )

1 N‑COUNT A washer is a thin flat ring of metal or rubber which is placed over a bolt before the nut is screwed on.

2 N‑COUNT A washer is the same as a washing machine . [INFORMAL ]

wash|ing /wɒ ʃ I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Washing is a collection of clothes, sheets, and other things which are waiting to be washed, are being washed, or have just been washed. □  …plastic bags full of dirty washing.

wa sh|ing line (washing lines ) N‑COUNT A washing line is a strong cord which you can hang wet clothes on while they dry.

wa sh|ing ma|chine (washing machines ) N‑COUNT A washing machine is a machine that you use to wash clothes in.

wa sh|ing pow|der (washing powders ) N‑VAR Washing powder is a powder that you use with water to wash clothes. [BRIT ] in AM, usually use soap powder , laundry detergent

wa shing-u p

1 N‑UNCOUNT To do the washing-up means to wash the plates, cups, cutlery, and pans which have been used for cooking and eating a meal. [BRIT ] □  Martha volunteered to do the washing-up. in AM, use wash the dishes 2 N‑UNCOUNT Washing-up is the plates, cups, cutlery, and pans which you have to wash after a meal. [BRIT ] □  …a brimming bowl of washing-up. in AM, use dirty dishes , the dishes

wa shing-u p liq|uid (washing-up liquids ) N‑VAR Washing-up liquid is a thick soapy liquid which you add to hot water to clean dirty dishes. [BRIT ] in AM, use dishwashing liquid , dish soap

wash|out /wɒ ʃaʊt/ (washouts ) N‑COUNT If an event or plan is a washout , it fails completely. [INFORMAL ] □  The mission was a washout.

wa sh-rag (wash-rags ) also washrag N‑COUNT A wash-rag is the same as a washcloth . [AM ]

wash|room /wɒ ʃruːm/ (washrooms ) N‑COUNT A washroom is a room with toilets and washing facilities, situated in a large building such as a factory or an office block.