Klean

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. An alternative spelling of a word indicating cleanliness or purity
2. a brand or product that promotes hygienic living or practices
3. an attitude or lifestyle emphasizing neatness and organization

Etymology: Old English had "clæne," meaning pure, bright, or free from dirt, and that is the source of the modern "clean." The "klean" spelling is not a historical form. It is a deliberate respelling, swapping the "c" for a "k" to make a familiar word look distinctive on a label or logo. Marketers have used this trick for many product names, since a changed spelling can make a brand easier to remember and register. The adjective sense here, applied to a brand that promotes hygienic living, grows directly from the older meaning of "clean" as free from dirt or contamination. The brand name keeps that core sense while borrowing the friendly look of a familiar word.

Synonyms: clean, pure, spotless, immaculate, pristine

Antonyms: dirty, unclean, filthy, soiled