cloth

noun

ˈklȯth 

plural cloths ˈklȯt͟hz  ˈklȯths 

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

• fabric
• textile

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

Rinse and Dry Rinse the board off with warm water, and dry with a clean cloth. —Samantha Hunter, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 June 2024

Police searched Woods and Griffin’s home and allegedly found one room with a broken bed frame and a piece of cloth tied around one of the exterior rails. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2024

Since May 28, a total of about 1,000 North Korean balloons carrying manure, cigarette butts, scraps of cloth, and waste paper have been discovered in various parts of South Korea. —Hyung-Jin Kim, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 June 2024

Intifada comes from the Arabic root meaning to shake off, as if dust from a cloth. —Adrian Florido, NPR, 2 June 2024

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

Phrases Containing cloth

• a man of the cloth
• cloth yard
• cut from the same cloth
• drop cloth
• grass cloth
• ground cloth
• hardware cloth
• kente cloth
• man of the cloth
• monk's cloth
• out of whole cloth
• piña cloth
• press cloth
• sponge cloth
• tea cloth
• the cloth
• venetian cloth
• whole cloth
• wire cloth

Kids Definition

cloth

noun

ˈklȯth 

plural cloths ˈklȯt͟hz  ˈklȯths 

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