dry-clean
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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dry-cleansimple
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dry-cleanssimple
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have dry-cleanedperfect
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has dry-cleanedperfect
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am dry-cleaningprogressive
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are dry-cleaningprogressive
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is dry-cleaningprogressive
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have been dry-cleaningperfect progressive
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has been dry-cleaningperfect progressive
Past
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dry-cleanedsimple
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had dry-cleanedperfect
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was dry-cleaningprogressive
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were dry-cleaningprogressive
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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.
See Examples For:
If it merely says to dry-clean, consider that a recommendation, and know that you might be able to do it yourself.
From Washington Post ● May 17, 2022
Many doonas and covers are dry-clean only, so pay close attention to the manufacturer’s directions.
From The Guardian ● Oct. 8, 2020
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
She had bought a short white dress at a Goodwill thrift shop and paid twelve dollars to dry-clean it.
From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat
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
Cohen dry-cleaned herself expertly, strolling in the front door of a crowded store and darting out a side exit.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Leon Capital Group’s founder talks about his investments in unglamorous businesses, career-defining bets during the financial crisis, and why he still sometimes balks at his dry-cleaning bill.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026
Interestingly, higher-income individuals appeared more likely to have detectable PCE in their blood, possibly due to greater use of dry-cleaning services.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 12, 2025
And you think your dry-cleaning bills are bad!
From Slate ● Aug. 16, 2025
Before we were interned, my father had a successful dry-cleaning business on Wilshire Boulevard, right by Bullocks Wilshire, the most fashionable department store in Los Angeles.
From New York Times ● May 8, 2024
There was a Chinese takeout place and a dry-cleaning store.
From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi
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.
