declutter

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "declutter" is a correct and usable word in written English, and it can be used to describe the process of organizing or removing items from a cluttered space to create more organization and tidiness.
Example sentence: I decided to declutter my desk to make room for new items.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Why did I put it off?" I do feel bad for not going all in with the digital declutter, so as a show of goodwill towards minimalism, I mark all my emails as read.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Step two Play the 30-day minimalism game This is a way to declutter in daily steps.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Few can afford to fix up their homes, even with financial support from the government and the California-based Global Heritage Fund, a charity that is helping to preserve some of China's historical sites.To declutter the town, four-fifths of the city's population have been moved outside the city walls since 1997.

The Economist

I am sorely tempted to have a T-shirt printed for my daughter: "Future tax-payer be nice tax-payer be nice me when you're older".CHRIStoNE DEANE Canberra, AustraliaToo me youinutesSIR – Schumpeter wants to declutter the company (August 2nd).

The Economist

3. Hide seasonal clothes - January is the time to declutter and a good storage system is essential for hiding away seasonal clothes that all too often fill our bedrooms.

Independent

Splash out to make sure you find that special present for him Sit pretty while stashing away your stuff Follow in Marie Kondo's (tidy) footsteps and declutter your home.

Independent

Follow in Marie Kondo's (tidy) footsteps and declutter your home.

Independent

Rojas explained that she had got rid of it, part of an ongoing effort to declutter.

The New Yorker

After reading about this, I rang Wrynn up to inquire if Mary or anyone else had ever asked the Nobel Prize winner to declutter.

The New Yorker

DECLUTTER Some people are driven nuts by visual clutter.

The New York Times - Travel

Thoreau may not have been talking about cancer when he urged us to declutter, but the words "simplify, simplify" are always swirling in my head.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "declutter", specify what you are decluttering for clarity. For example, "declutter your workspace" is more informative than simply "declutter".

Common error

Avoid using "declutter" without an object. It's more effective to say "declutter your closet" than just "I need to declutter".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "declutter" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It describes the action of removing clutter from something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this verb is commonly used and generally grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "declutter" is a commonly used and grammatically sound transitive verb that describes the act of removing clutter. According to Ludwig AI, this term is well-accepted and frequently appears in various contexts. It is particularly prevalent in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science sources. While the word "declutter" itself is fairly straightforward, it's best practice to use it with a direct object. Alternatives like "tidy up", "organize", and "clear out" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The sources, as provided by Ludwig, indicate that "declutter" has a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

De-clutter

Alternative spelling to "declutter".

Remove clutter

Directly addresses the action of taking away unnecessary items that cause disorder.

Tidy up

Focuses on making things neat and orderly, emphasizing arrangement.

Organize

Highlights structuring items logically for better accessibility and management.

Clear out

Involves removing unwanted items, emphasizing the act of emptying space.

Streamline

Centers on simplifying processes or systems to improve efficiency.

Simplify

Broadly refers to reducing complexity, applicable to both physical and abstract entities.

Clean up

Emphasizes removing dirt, mess, or unwanted elements, often implying physical cleaning.

Sort out

Focuses on categorizing and arranging items, resolving confusion or disarray.

Get rid of

Highlights the disposal of unnecessary or unwanted items.

FAQs

How to use "declutter" in a sentence?

You can use "declutter" to describe the act of removing unnecessary items to tidy up a space, as in "I need to declutter my room this weekend". Or, "City officials said the move was part of an effort to "declutter the streets" of often ignored signs".

What can I say instead of "declutter"?

You can use alternatives like "tidy up", "organize", or "clear out" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "declutter" or "de-clutter"?

"Declutter" and "de-clutter" are both acceptable, but "declutter" is the more common and modern spelling.

What's the difference between "declutter" and "organize"?

"Declutter" focuses on removing unnecessary items, while "organize" involves arranging items in a neat and efficient manner. You often declutter before you organize.