How to pronounce cleaner
Say it like KLEE-ner. Cleaner has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KLEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cleaner. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KLEE
- ner
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cleaner pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KLEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- nerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of cleaner
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KLEE-nuh.
What does cleaner mean?
- a preparation used in cleaning something
- the operator of dry-cleaning establishment
- someone whose occupation is cleaning
Where does cleaner come from?
Inherited from Middle English clener, clenere, equivalent to clean + -er (agent noun suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with cleaner
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of cleaner.
Questions about saying cleaner
How do you pronounce cleaner?
Say KLEE-ner. The American pronunciation is /ˈklinɚ/. In British English it is /ˈkliːnə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cleaner?
Cleaner has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KLEE). Broken into parts: KLEE · ner.
Is cleaner pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈkliːnə/ (KLEE-nuh).