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dry cleaner

American  

noun

  1. a business that dry-cleans garments, draperies, etc.

  2. a person who owns or operates such an establishment.

  3. a liquid solvent used in dry cleaning.


Etymology

Origin of dry cleaner

First recorded in 1895–1900

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.

This leaves smaller companies — say, a restaurant or a dry cleaner.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

Check to see what your dry cleaner uses and look for one that uses alternative cleaning methods.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

A dry cleaner has said businesses just 10 miles away can charge a quarter of the price for services due to differing energy prices between regions.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2025

Then, they laundered the dyed strips at a dry cleaner, took them back to the community center, sat down at their sewing machines, and pieced the fabric together into 60-foot stripes.

From Slate • Jun. 19, 2024

Not just a respectable grocer or dry cleaner or doctor, but a larger public figure who was willing to speak and act outside the tight sphere of his family.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

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