cleaner

American  

[klee-ner] / ˈkli nər /

noun

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

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

3. a preparation for use in cleaning, 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

• precleaner noun

Etymology

Origin of cleaner

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

Example Sentences

Plaid Cymru's climate spokesperson Delyth Jewell said she looked forward "to seeing how the bill and further legislation will strengthen the voice of our communities and ensure a cleaner, healthier Wales for everyone".

From BBC

Target has previously sought to position its food assortment around cleaner labels.

From The Wall Street Journal

Making its production cleaner and more competitive with fossil based hydrogen could accelerate its use not only in heavy industry, but also as a way to store excess renewable energy.

From Science Daily

Paramount has long said its all-cash bid was superior because it wanted the entire company, unlike Netflix, and it believed it had a cleaner path to regulatory approval.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Clean Air Act required the use of cleaner coal and technology to remove pollutants to prevent acid rain and other harms.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cleanser
• disinfectant
• soap