cleaner

noun

clean·​er ˈklē-nər 

plural cleaners

1

a

: one whose work is cleaning

b

: dry cleaner

also : a dry-cleaning shop

—usually 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

Bottles of cleaners/degreasers lack labeling for contents of containers. — Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026

Photograph by Anna Matveeva / Courtesy MUBI After graduation, Zvyagintsev found a job as a dvornik, a street cleaner. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

Resources and info The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a lot of information about DIY air cleaners, including visual construction guides, tips on improving DIY air cleaners, and general air cleaner usage advice. — John Alexander, Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2026

For persistent urine smells, consider an enzyme cleaner labeled for pet stains. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 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