# cleaner

/ˈkɫinɝ/ (US) · /klˈiːnɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cleaner
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a person who cleans

noun · CEFR A2

someone whose job is to clean houses, offices, or other buildings.

For teachers: a person employed to maintain the cleanliness of a domestic or commercial environment.

- The office cleaner arrives at six in the evening after everyone else has gone home.
- The school employs a dedicated team of cleaners to ensure the classrooms are sanitised every night before the students return.

### 2. a cleaning substance

noun · CEFR B1

a liquid or powder used to remove dirt from surfaces like floors or windows.

For teachers: a chemical substance or preparation formulated for removing dirt, grease, or stains from inanimate objects.

- You should use a special glass cleaner to get the mirrors really shiny.
- The industrial-strength cleaner proved effective at removing the stubborn oil stains that had accumulated on the garage floor over several years.

### 3. a cleaning machine

noun · CEFR A2

a machine used for cleaning, most commonly a vacuum cleaner.

For teachers: an apparatus or device designed to perform a cleaning function, typically mechanical.

- I need to empty the dust bag in the vacuum cleaner before I finish the rug.
- The new robotic cleaner navigates the living room automatically, detecting obstacles and adjusting its path to ensure every corner is reached.

### 4. the dry cleaners

noun · CEFR B1

a shop where you take clothes to be professionally washed or dry-cleaned.

For teachers: an establishment where clothing and fabrics are professionally laundered or dry-cleaned; usually used in the plural.

- I have to pick up my suit from the cleaners before the wedding on Saturday.
- She dropped her silk dress off at the cleaners, requesting a rush service so it would be ready for the evening gala.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form 'the cleaners'.

### 5. a fixer

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Informal

a person who is hired to hide evidence of a crime or clean up a mess for criminals.

For teachers: a person hired to dispose of incriminating evidence or bodies, typically in a criminal context.

- In the movie, they called a cleaner to make sure the police found no fingerprints.
- The thriller depicts the cold efficiency of a professional cleaner who specialises in erasing all traces of high-profile crimes before the authorities arrive.

## Examples

- The cleaner arrives at eight to tidy the office.
- After the party, we had to hire a professional cleaner to remove the deep stains from the carpet.
- While the industrial-strength cleaner proved effective at removing the grease, the janitorial staff noted that its fumes were too pungent for use during regular business hours.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.