cloth

noun

ˈklȯth How to pronounce cloth (audio)
plural cloths ˈklȯt͟hz How to pronounce cloth (audio) ˈklȯths How to pronounce cloth (audio)
Synonyms of clothnext
often attributive
1
a
: a pliable material made usually by weaving, felting, or knitting natural or synthetic fibers and filaments
terry cloth
a linen cloth
b
: a similar material (as of glass)
Woven glass cloth produces a strong laminate.
2
: a piece of cloth adapted for a particular purpose
especially : tablecloth
3
a
: a distinctive dress of a profession or calling
b
: the dress of the clergy
also : clergy
had respect for the cloth

Synonyms of cloth

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of cloth in a Sentence

The dress is made out of a beautiful silk cloth. Wipe the surface with a clean dry cloth. He has great respect for the cloth.
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 fabric also has a spill-resistant treatment that keeps liquid on the surface long enough to blot with a dry cloth. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026 Cool your body as well as the rooms A cool shower or a damp cloth can provide immediate relief, and drinking water regularly helps replace fluid lost through sweating. — Destenie Nock, The Conversation, 22 July 2026 Aulton recommends using a soft microfiber cloth dampened with tepid water to gently clean both the tops and undersides of the leaves. — Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 21 July 2026 Never store plastic, paper, or cloth in any part of your oven. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cloth

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English clāth cloth, garment; akin to Middle High German kleit garment

First Known Use

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

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

Phrases Containing cloth

Rhymes for cloth

See All Rhymes for cloth

Browse Nearby Words

clote
cloth
cloth beam
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cloth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cloth. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

cloth

noun
ˈklȯth How to pronounce cloth (audio)
plural cloths ˈklȯt͟hz How to pronounce cloth (audio) ˈklȯths How to pronounce cloth (audio)
1
: a woven or knitted material (as of cotton or nylon)
2
: a piece of cloth used for a particular purpose
a polishing cloth
3
: tablecloth

More from Merriam-Webster on cloth

Nglish: Translation of cloth for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cloth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of aerie

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All