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.
The television personality was clad in a vampy all-burgundy ensemble that was playfully textural. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026 The resulting low-slung structure is clad in understated materials, with a sloping bronze-colored roof, stone chimney, expansive glazing, and teak siding. — David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026 The Petite Pelican is based on a double-axle trailer and is clad in white board-and-batten siding, with a metal roof. — New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026 In 2020, she was jailed for taking part in an anti-police brutality protest near the Kremlin with Pussy Riot, clad in their synonymous pink balaclavas. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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