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.
Also on the premises are a striking one-bedroom cabin clad entirely in redwood, an outdoor movie pavilion, and sweeping mountain and city lights views from every vantage point. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 Union members and their supporters were dressed colorfully, clad in red or green, and their march through the Brussels city center passed off peacefully. — Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Customers can do the treatment fully clothed as the water rolls under them, powered by a series of hydro-jets. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026 Some show-goers made their way to La Défense Arena to see her perform, showing up clad in Celine Dion merch to the runways thereafter. — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 7 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 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
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