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

Etymology

Origin of cleaner

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

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

Peeling produces a slightly cleaner finished syrup, but because the mixture will eventually be strained, leaving the skins on works perfectly well.

From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026

Less guidance, in his view, delivers a cleaner read.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

Mildred Barreto, a 66-year-old cleaner, still calls him "comandante," meaning commander.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

But the Western States Petroleum Assn. trade group opposes that, saying it would penalize California refiners that have already invested in making the cleaner fuel.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

The vacuum cleaner business was so brisk, in fact, that the company that made them opened a branch factory in the town.

From "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien

While healing from their losses, they hustled, working as caregivers, nannies, Uber drivers and house cleaners.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

He became a suspect after a clerk at a dry cleaners that had been robbed saw Brambles at a motel and called police.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

Among the examples cited by the task force was the case of French programmer Sammy Azdoufal, who reportedly accessed data from thousands of robotic vacuum cleaners made by Chinese manufacturer DJI.

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

She relies on a household team of nannies, cleaners, a chef and a chief of staff, which helps afford time for “high-impact, core memories” like vacations with her children.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

While the heavy-duty cleaners and scouring pad lifted the black from the white bathroom sink, Miss Patty Cake’s body was another story.

From "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia

Related Words

• cleanser
• disinfectant
• soap