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

Manual cleaners last longer, cost less, and don’t break mid-task. —Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026

For Household and Personal Items Simply replace your silver cleaner with toothpaste to achieve the same result. —Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026

Shark Stainstriker Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner I’ve also been impressed by this small-but-mighty cleaner (which requires little effort on my part). —Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026

During the attack, Revuckas also stabbed the Morales' dog between the eyes, and started a fire in the kitchen by placing household items on the stove, dousing them with sanitizer and household cleaners, and setting everything on fire. —Todd Feurer, CBS News, 28 Jan. 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