cleaner

noun

clean·​er ˈklē-nər 

plural cleaners

1

a

: one whose work is cleaning

b

: dry cleaner

also : a dry-cleaning shop

—usually used in plural

2

: a preparation for cleaning

3

: an implement or machine for cleaning

see also:

take to the cleaners

Synonyms of cleaner

• soap

Examples of cleaner in a Sentence

He recommends using baking soda as a general household cleaner.

a kitchen shelf loaded with household cleaners

Recent Examples on the Web

This pack of five brushes includes a straw cleaner, a foam scrubber and three multipurpose brushes made specifically to scrub the threads around the top of your water bottle. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Use a disinfecting cleaner on all the doorknobs in every room, as well as handles for toilets and the kitchen faucet. —Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026

Second, use a quality fuel or combustion‑chamber cleaner, such as Techron, a couple of times a year when filling the tank. —Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026

But household cleaners are less likely to spoil and more likely to lose their potency. —Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 19 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1720, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cleaner

• dry cleaner
• house cleaner
• pipe cleaner
• the cleaner's
• vacuum cleaner

Rhymes for cleaner

• diener
• gleaner
• greener
• keener
• leaner
• lienor
• meaner
• screener
• convener
• convenor
• demeanor
• demeanour

Kids Definition

cleaner

noun

clean·​er ˈklē-nər 

1

: one whose work is cleaning

2

: a substance used for cleaning

3

: a device or machine for cleaning