dry cleaner
Americannoun
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a business that dry-cleans garments, draperies, etc.
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a person who owns or operates such an establishment.
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a liquid solvent used in dry cleaning.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
A nearby dry cleaner said the price of plastic garment covers had more than doubled, while a cafe owner noted a 50-percent increase in the cost of plastic cups.
From Barron's ● Jun. 28, 2026
This leaves smaller companies — say, a restaurant or a dry cleaner.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 18, 2026
Be especially cautious if you live in a building above a dry cleaner.
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
“I told you the dry cleaner was closed,” calls a woman’s voice from the car.
From "Linked" by Gordon Korman
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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.