cleaner

American  

[klee-ner] / ˈkli nər /

noun

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

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

3. a preparation for use in 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.

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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

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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 broader takeaway is clear: food safety testing is becoming faster, cleaner, and more precise.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

Higher demand for cleaner diesel engine technology amid ever-tightening regulatory standards is part of the story.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

But while Colas thinks Nvidia would “be a cleaner story” if it wasn’t acting like an investor itself, “that doesn’t guarantee it would be a better stock.”

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

There are 1,200 people working here, making Henry, the famous little red vacuum cleaner, and his pink friend Henrietta.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Or: Monica, whispering to her dry cleaner: Can you get this stain out for me?

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

Related Words

• cleanser
• disinfectant
• soap