clothe

verb

ˈklōt͟h How to pronounce clothe (audio)
clothed or clad ˈklad How to pronounce clothe (audio) ; clothing
Synonyms of clothenext

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 humanity.—D. R. Wallace

Synonyms of clothe

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As the guy, clad in full European cycling-team gear, coasts up to the front-door bench, the mechanic gets a closer look. — Tom Campbell, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 Yungblud easily took on the song’s euphoric verses as Corgan accompanied on guitar, both clad in all-black, from the four-time-platinum LP. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2026 The building’s exterior is an unconventional assemblage of ten sculptural cones clad in stainless steel mesh, onyx, and glass, rising up to 280 feet into the sky. — News Desk, Artforum, 29 July 2026 There was more swimsuit inspo where that came from, as the 29-year-old also included a snap of herself standing on the beach at sunset, clad in the smallest black-and-white bottoms and matching top. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for clothe

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

Rhymes for clothe

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Browse Nearby Words

clothbound
clothe
clothes
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Cite this Entry

“Clothe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clothe. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

clothe

verb
ˈklōt͟h How to pronounce clothe (audio)
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

Nglish: Translation of clothe for Spanish Speakers

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