What does squeegeed mean?
“Squeegeed” is the past tense of “squeegee,” a verb meaning to clean or wipe a smooth surface with a squeegee, the long-handled tool with a rubber blade. Its most familiar use is describing the cleaning of windows, shower screens, and floors, where a squeegee removes water and leaves the surface comparatively dry and free of streaks. The word is also used informally for wiping or clearing a surface with another kind of implement. As a past-tense form, “squeegeed” regularly takes the ordinary past ending, and it appears in both British and American English, although the cleaning tool and the practice are especially associated with professional window cleaning and everyday household tasks.
verbTo clean or wipe a surface, especially a window or floor, using a squeegee. In informal use, it can also mean to move or wipe something forcefully with a cloth or similar object.
- To clean or wipe a surface with a squeegee.
"She squeegeed the windows after the rain."
"He squeegeed the shower doors until the glass was clear."
"Workers squeegeed the floor before the guests arrived."
The past tense of squeegee adds a final sound—and a little linguistic drama—to an action associated with perfectly clean windows.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does squeegeed come from?
The word comes from “squeegee,” a term for a cleaning implement with a rubber blade, used especially for wiping water from glass. The ultimate origin of “squeegee” is not certain, and it is probably related in some way to “squelch.” The verb “squeegee” developed from the name of the tool and is used with the ordinary regular inflection, including “squeegeed” and “squeegeeing.”
Related word forms
How squeegeed is actually used
The verb is especially associated with cleaning windows, floors, and other smooth surfaces. In informal contexts, “squeegee” can also mean to wipe or remove something with a cloth, brush, or similar implement.
Easily confused with squeegeed
“Squeegee” is the tool used to wipe or clean a surface, whereas “squeegeed” is the past-tense form of the verb describing that action.