cleaner

American  

[klee-ner] / ˈkli nər /

noun

1. a person who cleans, especially one whose regular occupation is cleaning cleaning offices, buildings, equipment, etc.

2. an apparatus or machine for cleaning, cleaning, as a vacuum cleaner.

3. a preparation for use in cleaning, cleaning, as a detergent or chemical bleach.

4. the owner or operator of a dry-cleaning establishment.

   The cleaner said he couldn't get the spot off my coat.

5. Usually cleaners. a dry-cleaning establishment.

   My suit is at the cleaners.

---

idioms

1. take to the cleaners, to cause to lose all or a great deal of one's money or personal property, as through gambling or a bad investment.

   He got taken to the cleaners in the poker game last night.

cleaner British  

/ ˈkliːnə /

noun

1. a person, device, chemical agent, etc, that removes dirt, as from clothes or carpets

2. (usually plural) a shop, etc that provides a dry-cleaning service

3. informal to rob or defraud a person of all of his money

---

Other Word Forms

• precleaner noun

Etymology

Origin of cleaner

First recorded in 1425–75, cleaner is from the late Middle English word clener. See clean, -er ¹

Explanation

A cleaner is either a person whose job involves tidying and disinfecting, or it's a substance used to do that work, like soap. If the cleaner runs out of window cleaner, they might try using vinegar. Professional cleaners might work in people's homes, in which case you might call them housekeepers, or they might work in office buildings, on work sites, or really anywhere that needs to be cleaned. Some cleaners (like dry cleaners) clean clothing and other textiles. Being a cleaner is hard work — and if you've ever watched workers suspended on scaffolding using big squeegees to clean skyscraper windows, you know that it can be thrilling work, too.

Example Sentences

The breakthrough not only resolves a long-standing biochemical puzzle, but also points toward cleaner, more efficient methods for producing pharmaceuticals.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2026

Railroad operators have been testing cleaner alternatives to diesel-powered locomotives, including battery models, but still rely on diesel-electric for almost all freight routes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Compared with buying a stock portfolio, prediction markets would have been a much cleaner way to hedge against Great Britain leaving the EU by giving direct exposure to the question, “Will Brexit happen?”

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

Sheriff John Budensiek said Woods, 50, had rolled his Land Rover vehicle after clipping a pressure cleaner truck on Jupiter Island on Friday.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

The father of a chum had bought a vacuum cleaner factory and said it was a license to print money.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• cleanser
• disinfectant
• soap