clothed or clad ˈklad How to pronounce clothe (audio) ; clothing

transitive verb

1
a
: to cover with or as if with cloth or clothing : dress
b
: to provide with clothes
the cost of feeding and clothing a family
2
: to express or enhance by suitably significant language : couch
treaties clothed in stately phraseology
3
: to endow especially with power or a quality
the nobility in which religion and history can clothe humanityD. R. Wallace

Examples of clothe in a Sentence

the cost of feeding and clothing your children they liked to clothe the twins in identical outfits just to confuse people
Recent Examples on the Web Behind the counter, a cool Margo Moon is taking orders clad in a hoodie, a pair of shades and a backwards cap that covers a shoulder-grazing head of locks the color of honey. Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 Chip, clad in overalls and work boots — and a huge smudge of sunscreen on his nose — has nothing to say, simply smiling and waving at Joanna before floating off-screen. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 The elegant building is enveloped in all-steel frame construction with the exterior clad in handcrafted Gladding McBean tile, manufactured up the road in Lincoln. David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 2 Mar. 2024 Trending on Billboard The screams become truly deafening when, roughly 10 minutes later, the curtain opens to reveal the diminutive 55-year-old Australian pop star clad entirely in metallic gold. Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 29 Feb. 2024 According to the criminal complaint, authorities found out about the incident from Brown herself on Feb. 12 after she had been spotted running only partially clothed in Cedarburg. Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2024 On Sunday, the Dune: Part Two star and fashion rule breaker attended the action film's premiere in New York City, clad in a striking leather-on-leather look. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 Both Chapman and Combs took to the stage clad in black, standing in place in front of a backlit wall of spotlights that almost, appropriately, resembled traffic lights. Audrey Gibbs, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 Prior to that era-defining moment, Lopez was introduced to the world as a Fly Girl on In Living Color, clad in leopard print, combat boots, and lots of black spandex. Leah Faye Cooper, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clothe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English clāthian, from clāth

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of clothe was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near clothe

Cite this Entry

“Clothe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clothe. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

clothe

verb
clothed or clad ˈklad How to pronounce clothe (audio) ; clothing
1
a
: to cover with or as if with clothing : dress
b
: to provide with clothes
2
: to express in a certain way
clothe your thoughts clearly

More from Merriam-Webster on clothe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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