Cleanup vs. Clean Up
“Cleanup” is a noun for an act or instance of cleaning and can also function adjectivally in established uses. “Clean up” is the verb phrase for making something clean or improving a situation.
Use “cleanup” for the noun (“the cleanup”) and “clean up” for the verb (“clean up the room”).
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| name the activity/event or use the established modifier | cleanup | Use the closed noun/adjectival form. |
| perform the action | clean up | Use the two-word verb phrase; it can inflect as cleaned up/cleaning up. |
Quick tests
Tense test
Can the expression take verb tense or follow a subject as an action?
If yes: Use “clean up.”
If no: If it names the activity or functions in an established modifier use “cleanup.”
Examples
The cleanup took two hours.
“Cleanup” is the noun naming the activity.
Please clean up the meeting room.
“Clean up” is the verb phrase.
The cleanup crew arrived early.
The closed form can also function adjectivally in established use.
Further guidance
Core difference
The one-word form names the cleanup; the two-word form performs the action.
Fast Test
If the phrase takes tense—“cleaned up,” “cleaning up”—use two words.
Modifier Boundary
Merriam-Webster also records adjectival “cleanup” in established uses, so not every closed form is strictly a noun.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Cleanup — Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Cleanup noun/adjective and clean up verb word-class boundary