dry-clean

American

[drahy-kleen] / ˈdraɪˈklin /

verb (used with object)

to clean (garments, draperies, rugs, etc.) with a liquid other than water, as benzine or gasoline.

dry-clean British

verb

(tr) to clean (clothing, fabrics, etc) with a solvent other than water, such as trichloroethylene

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Etymology

Origin of dry-clean

First recorded in 1810–20; back formation from dry cleaning

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Before you drop off your favorite duds, though, check whether you really need to dry-clean them.

From Washington Post • May 17, 2022

It had been pressed up against the winter coats, shrouded in its dry-clean carrier, and although I tried to forget about it, I never could.

From The Guardian • Jul. 15, 2018

It is made of polyester and viscose and, unlike its inspiration, is dry-clean only.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2018

"It costs a lot to dry-clean a suit over there in Japan, and the prime minister had an expensive one."

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2017

“Just...you know, I wanted to check if we needed to dry-clean these, but nope. Downy fresh!”

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023