declutter
dee-KLUH-ter
/ˌdiːˈklʌtər/
To remove unnecessary items from an untidy or overcrowded place.
Focuses on organizing and simplifying a space by discarding, donating, or selling excess belongings.
The story behind the word. Formed by adding the prefix 'de-' (expressing removal) to the Middle English word 'clutter' (originally a variant of 'clotter', meaning to coagulate or crowd together).
Word relationships
- clear out: Clear out implies removing everything from a space, whereas declutter focuses on removing only the unnecessary items to restore order.
- simplify: Simplify is a broader term that can apply to lifestyles or processes, while declutter is specific to physical spaces and objects.
- clutter: To fill a space with a messy collection of things.
- hoard: To accumulate and hide away a large store of valued or useless objects.
Commonly confused with
- clean: Clean involves removing dirt, dust, and grime, while declutter involves removing excess physical items.
Word family
- decluttering (noun): The activity of removing mess and excess items from a place.
Collocations
- declutter your home
- declutter the closet
- systematically declutter
- decluttering process
Example sentences
- "Before moving into the smaller apartment, she spent weeks trying to declutter her crowded closets." Home organization
- "Many people find that organizing their physical space helps declutter their minds as well." Mental health
Memory hook
Remove the 'clutter' to make your room 'better'—that is how you 'declutter'. Drop the clutter to declutter.
When not to use
Do not use for cleaning dirt or dust; it refers specifically to organizing physical objects.
Fun facts
- The word 'declutter' only began appearing regularly in dictionaries in the late 20th century as consumer culture led to an excess of household goods.
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