clothe

verb

ˈklōt͟h 

clothed or clad ˈklad  ; clothing

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

• dress
• garment
• apparel
• costume
• gown
• attire
• toilet
• garb

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

The exterior is clad in glass and limestone that reflects the predominant materials on Northwestern’s nearby campus. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

They were rewarded by Kardashian’s arrival, clad in a formfitting tan midi dress with lace-up grommet detailing, triggering a storm of flashes and handshakes. — Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

The sport seats are clad in a modern interpretation of the distinctive tartan pattern of the GTI heritage. — New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026

The great Wiest, clad in leopard print and lipstick, slurs and spits her lines. — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for clothe

• loathe

Kids Definition

clothe

verb

ˈklōt͟h 

clothed or clad ˈklad  ; 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