clothing

1 of 2

noun

cloth·​ing ˈklō-t͟hiŋ 

: items (as of cloth) designed to be worn to cover the body

The children and their teachers strolled up the path, the colors of their winter clothing bright against the monotone of the field.

—Ward Just

… radiating vibrance through her bright clothing and makeup.

—Hannah Jones

also : coverings

… seeks to regulate and adopt flammability standards to upholstered furniture, mattresses, bed clothing and candles.

—Home Textiles Today

see also:

wolf in sheep's clothing

clothing

2 of 2

present participle of clothe

Synonyms of clothing

Noun

• clothes
• attire
• garments
• apparel
• dress

Examples of clothing in a Sentence

Noun

an expensive article of clothing

We're collecting food and clothing for the poor.

Only people wearing protective clothing may enter the room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

All inspired by Rise & Fall’s signature knitwear and outerwear, the designs recast the language of clothing in sculptural forms, bringing together the softness of textiles and the presence of jewelry. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Pappas has also supported strict limits on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which are synthetic chemicals that can be found in an array of consumer products, including clothing, shampoo, electronics, and cleaning products. — Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026

The simple construction pairs easily with everyday clothing like T-shirts, sweaters and hoodies, and vintage or military-inspired designs appeal to buyers who want clothing with a recognizable history. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026

In 2006, for example, the agency once known as Crispin Porter + Bogusky, took a minority stake in the Haggar clothing company as part of its arrangement with the manufacturer. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing clothing

• nonrestrictive clothing
• not wearing a stitch (of clothes/clothing)
• wolf in sheep's clothing

Rhymes for clothing

• underclothing

Kids Definition

clothing

noun

cloth·​ing ˈklō-t͟hiŋ 

1

: covering for the human body

2

: something that covers or conceals