CLEANER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does cleaner mean? 

• CLEANER (noun)
  The noun CLEANER has 3 senses:

1. a preparation used in cleaning something

2. the operator of dry-cleaning establishment

3. someone whose occupation is cleaning

  Familiarity information: CLEANER used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CLEANER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A preparation used in cleaning something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

cleaner; cleanser; cleansing agent

Hypernyms ("cleaner" is a kind of...):

formulation; preparation (a substance prepared according to a formula)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cleaner"):

bathroom cleaner (a preparation for cleaning bathrooms)

dentifrice (a substance for cleaning the teeth; applied with a toothbrush)

detergent (a cleansing agent that differs from soap but can also emulsify oils and hold dirt in suspension)

shampoo (cleansing agent consisting of soaps or detergents used for washing the hair)

soap (a cleansing agent made from the salts of vegetable or animal fats)

Derivation:

clean (make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The operator of dry-cleaning establishment

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

cleaner; dry cleaner

Hypernyms ("cleaner" is a kind of...):

market keeper; shopkeeper; storekeeper; tradesman (a merchant who owns or manages a shop)

Derivation:

clean (make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Someone whose occupation is cleaning

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("cleaner" is a kind of...):

jack; laborer; labourer; manual laborer (someone who works with their hands; someone engaged in manual labor)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cleaner"):

char; charwoman; cleaning lady; cleaning woman; woman (a human female employed to do housework)

chimneysweep; chimneysweeper; sweep (someone who cleans soot from chimneys)

scourer (someone who cleanses by scouring)

street cleaner; street sweeper (a worker employed to clean streets (especially one employed by a municipal sanitation department))

window cleaner (someone who cleans windows for pay)

Derivation:

clean (make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from)

clean (clean and tidy up the house)

 Context examples 

I'd clear out the whole infernal gang of them and leave this country a bit cleaner than we found it.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Some can be made from everyday items such as household cleaners.

(Chemical Emergencies, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.

(H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

But it’s God’s own wind none the less, and a cleaner, better, stronger land will lie in the sunshine when the storm has cleared.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The report recommends the use of cleaner, renewable energy sources, less dependence on private cars in favor of public transportation, and better waste management systems.

(WAir Pollution a Health Risk for Children, Lisa Schlein/VOA)

The research shows that simply using quat-based cleaners in the same room as the mice was enough to cause birth defects.

(Common Household Chemicals Lead to Birth Defects in Mice, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Yes, sir, we have several among our workpeople and cleaners.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

In industry, acetone is used in some plastics, fibers, medicines, household cleaners, glues, and nail polish removers.

(Acetone, NCI Dictionary)

This includes refraining from buying a car, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, headphones, smart phone, new TV, or expensive air buds.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

At last he said: Oh, you wretched beard-cleaner, you piebald fool, you hungry mouse-hunter, what can you be thinking of?

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)