Showing results for "cleaner"

• comparative of clean.

cleaner

American  

[klee-ner] / ˈkli nər /

noun

• cleaners
  plural

1. a person who cleans, especially one whose regular occupation is cleaning offices, buildings, equipment, etc.

2. an apparatus or machine for cleaning, as a vacuum cleaner.

3. a preparation for use in cleaning, as a detergent or chemical bleach.

4. the owner or operator of a dry-cleaning establishment.

   The cleaner said he couldn't get the spot off my coat.

5. Usually cleaners. a dry-cleaning establishment.

   My suit is at the cleaners.

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idioms

1. take to the cleaners, to cause to lose all or a great deal of one's money or personal property, as through gambling or a bad investment.

   He got taken to the cleaners in the poker game last night.

cleaner British  

/ ˈkliːnə /

noun

1. a person, device, chemical agent, etc, that removes dirt, as from clothes or carpets

2. (usually plural) a shop, etc that provides a dry-cleaning service

3. informal to rob or defraud a person of all of his money

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• precleaner
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• cleaners
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of cleaner

First recorded in 1425–75, cleaner is from the late Middle English word clener. See clean, -er ¹

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Explanation

A cleaner is either a person whose job involves tidying and disinfecting, or it's a substance used to do that work, like soap. If the cleaner runs out of window cleaner, they might try using vinegar. Professional cleaners might work in people's homes, in which case you might call them housekeepers, or they might work in office buildings, on work sites, or really anywhere that needs to be cleaned. Some cleaners (like dry cleaners) clean clothing and other textiles. Being a cleaner is hard work — and if you've ever watched workers suspended on scaffolding using big squeegees to clean skyscraper windows, you know that it can be thrilling work, too.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cleaner cleaners

WattTime, an environmental tech nonprofit, helps companies time their electric vehicles, phones or other devices to periods when the energy is coming from cleaner power sources.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

With excess power on the civilian grid, power companies could retire their oldest units, allowing for an even cleaner grid at a reduced cost to customers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

While the future imagined here made life easier, cleaner, more beautiful and more exciting, it did not arrive as advertised.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

Ealing Council street cleaner Wayne Broadhurst was described as "a gentle and quiet man"

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

I scrub at the caked rubbish so hard it feels like my skin is flaking off, but I'm glad to be getting cleaner.

From "Born Behind Bars" by Padma Venkatraman

Khan also said there had been rats at the venue for a long time and that cleaners were told to check daily for rat droppings.

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026

To cover the cost, she used money set aside for babysitters, cleaners and the occasional home organizer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

Inventor James Dyson is known for revolutionizing vacuum cleaners.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026

Dry cleaners could also be owners or managers who may be using AI for business decisions, he added.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026

“But weve got vacuum cleaners here,” said Lenina in bewilderment.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

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Related Words

• cleanser
• disinfectant
• soap

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