dry-clean
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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dry-cleansimple
-
dry-cleanssimple
-
have dry-cleanedperfect
-
has dry-cleanedperfect
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am dry-cleaningprogressive
-
are dry-cleaningprogressive
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is dry-cleaningprogressive
-
have been dry-cleaningperfect progressive
-
has been dry-cleaningperfect progressive
Past
-
dry-cleanedsimple
-
had dry-cleanedperfect
-
was dry-cleaningprogressive
-
were dry-cleaningprogressive
-
had been dry-cleaningperfect progressive
Future
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
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.