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

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

The contamination — detected in the early 1980s — was blamed on a poorly maintained fuel depot and indiscriminate dumping on the base, as well as from an off-base dry cleaner.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 31, 2024

And some of the hurdles faced by penthouse-living, dry cleaner empire-ruling George Jefferson are still in place, but they never stopped Sherman Hemsley’s self-assured strut.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2023

“I told you the dry cleaner was closed,” calls a woman’s voice from the car.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman