dry-clean
verb (used with object)
to clean (garments, draperies, rugs, etc.) with a liquid other than water, as benzine or gasoline.
dry-cleaned
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past participleof dry-clean.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof dry-clean.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
dry-cleanverb (used with object)to clean (garments, draperies, rugs, etc.) with a liquid other than water, as benzine or gasoline.
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.
And it’s like, well, because I had to have an assistant go get that piece from his closet, have it dry-cleaned, have it picked up, then have it delivered to set.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026
People are often exposed to the chemical through the air when it slowly evaporates from recently dry-cleaned clothes.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 12, 2025
I wish more businesses encouraged their staff to ask customers before adding, say, plastic utensils to a food order or a plastic sleeve over dry-cleaned items.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 15, 2023
His waxwork needed to be cleaned and repainted, while its jacket, shirt and bow tie had to be dry-cleaned.
From BBC ● Jan. 31, 2023
Farmer asked a fellow freshman, who was unpacking his dry-cleaned clothes, “How come you put your shirts in plastic?”
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
