launder

Everyday

1. (formal) To wash and iron clothes, sheets or towels. tree →
2. To hide where dishonestly gained money came from by passing it through a business or bank so it looks honest (launder money). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life the common words are "wash" and "do the laundry"; "launder" is more formal, as in hotels. In crime stories and the news, "money laundering" is a crime. Phrases: launder clothes, launder money, money laundering.

Examples

• The hotel launders the towels every day (formal). tree →
• Please launder this shirt before the wedding. tree →
• The criminals tried to launder stolen money. tree →
• Money laundering is against the law. tree →
• Freshly laundered sheets smell lovely. tree →
• The police caught the gang laundering cash through a café. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Noun: laundry (the clothes to wash, or the place); a launderette (UK) / laundromat (US) is a shop with washing machines. In the crime sense, laundering is always dishonest.