clothe

clothe

verb \ˈklōth\

clothed or clad\ˈklad\cloth·ing

Definition of CLOTHE

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>

Examples of CLOTHE

1. the cost of feeding and clothing your children
2. <they liked to clothe the twins in identical outfits just to confuse people>

Origin of CLOTHE

Middle English, from Old English clāthian, from clāth

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to CLOTHE

Synonyms: apparel, array, attire, bedeck, caparison, costume, deck (out), do up, dress, dress up, enrobe, garb, garment, get up, gown, habit, invest, rig (out), robe, suit, tog (up or out), toilet, vesture

Antonyms: disarray, disrobe, strip, unclothe, undress, untruss [archaic]

Related Words: cloak, frock, jacket, mantle, vest; drape, enswathe, hap [dialect], huddle, swaddle, swathe, wrap; accoutre (or accouter), bedight [archaic], equip, furnish, habilitate, outfit, tailor, uniform; dress down, underdress

Near Antonyms: denude, divest, uncover, undrape, unveil

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with CLOTHE

loathe