coat

noun, often attributive \ ˈkōt \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of coat

1 a : an outer garment worn on the upper body and varying in length and style according to fashion and use

b : something resembling a coat

2 : the external growth on an animal

3 : a layer of one substance covering another

a coat of paint

—

coated

play \ˈkō-təd\ adjective

—

coatless

adjective

See coat defined for English-language learners

See coat defined for kids

Examples of coat in a Sentence

She put on her coat, hat, and gloves, and then she went outside.
He was wearing a coat and tie.
The dog has a thick coat.
The house needed three coats to cover the original paint.

Recent Examples of coat from the Web

New mom #goals: To look as radiant as Tabitha Simmons, Dolce & Gabbana’s longtime stylist, who wears a glistening cape-coat from the designing duo over a pink dress.

— Vogue, "Met Gala 2018 Live Blog: Katy Perry Walks the Red Carpet in Six-Foot Wings," 7 May 2018
The couple recently stepped out for a dinner date at French restaurant Raoul’s, with Amal wearing a floral fur coat and $2,200 Alexander Wang leather-and-denim hybrid pants, and George opting for a coordinating denim-and-black ensemble.

— lindy segal, PEOPLE.com, "2018 Met Gala Co-Host Amal Clooney Hits the Red Carpet – in Pants! – Alongside Husband George," 7 May 2018
In Irish folklore leprechauns are a type of fairy that are usually depicted as little bearded men, wearing a coat and hat, who partake in mischief.

— Fox News, "Burger truck slammed for hiring little person to wear poster promoting specials," 4 May 2018
The 22-year-old arrived wearing a gray and blue plaid sport coat, white dress shirt and baby blue tie, with Bose headphones wrapped around his neck.

— edgar thompson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Former UF DT Taven Bryan selected by Jacksonville Jaguars with No. 29 pick," 27 Apr. 2018
Another Illinois sheriff's report said Reinking barged into a community pool in Tremont last June and jumped into the water wearing a pink woman's coat over his underwear.

— CBS News, "BMW theft solved too late to prevent deadly Waffle House rampage," 24 Apr. 2018
Another sheriff's report said Reinking barged into a community pool in Tremont, Illinois, last June, and jumped into the water wearing a pink woman's coat over his underwear.

— Bloomberg.com, "Waffle House Slaying Suspect Arrested After Massive Manhunt," 23 Apr. 2018
Another report from the sheriff's office said Reinking barged into a community pool in Tremont, Illinois, last June and jumped into the water wearing a pink woman's coat over his underwear.

— CBS News, "Waffle House shooting: Neighbors on alert amid intense manhunt," 23 Apr. 2018
There's something deeply confusing about wearing a long, warm coat with glorified soccer shorts.

— liz raiss, GQ, "Jonah Hill Solved Transitional Spring Style," 19 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of coat

Middle English cote, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German kozza coarse wool mantle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

coat Synonyms

Synonyms

fleece, fur, hair, jacket, pelage, pile, wool;

Related Words

undercoat, underfur;

hide, leather, pelt, skin;

coat

verb

Definition of coat

transitive verb

1 : to cover with a coat

2 : to cover or spread with a finishing, protecting, or enclosing layer

—

coater

noun

See coat defined for English-language learners

Examples of coat in a Sentence

Rock dust coated his hair.
My shoes are coated with mud.
Coat the chicken with flour.

Recent Examples of coat from the Web

The folded earthenware vessel coated in Ferrari-red car paint by Ann Van Hoey introduces the tension of ostentatious consumerism.

— amy verner, Vogue, "Dame Helen Mirren Presents Scottish Ceramist Jennifer Lee With the Second Annual Loewe Craft Prize," 4 May 2018
For dessert: handmade mochi, coated in black sesame or peanut powder.

— matthew segal, Los Angeles Magazine, "3 Restaurants You Have to Try This May," 1 May 2018
An unwrapped box, coated in graffiti-resistant paint in a shade called Postal Blue, glinted in the afternoon light.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "The “Cadillac of Mailboxes” Arrives in N.Y.C.," 30 Apr. 2018
The event Sometimes games like this get large unveiling events coated in marketing dollars, and Shadow followed that script.

— samuel axon, Ars Technica, "Shadow of the Tomb Raider hands-on: It’s the end of the world and Lara does not feel fine," 27 Apr. 2018
Strawberries dipped in dark or white chocolate, and even coated in colorful sprinkles.

— kara martinez bachman, NOLA.com, "Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival 2018 showcases sweet Louisiana fruit, fun times," 22 Apr. 2018
Every fried menu item is coated with the special lemon pepper seasoning, which adds a bright and super-salty punch of flavor.

— sarah gish, kansascity, "Craving 'crack chicken?' This local fast food joint serves seriously addictive wings | The Kansas City Star," 13 Apr. 2018
Sievers recalled the early Polaroid film had to be coated with a fixative before use.

— dennis hohenberger, Courant Community, "Gallery Features Polaroid Works," 11 Apr. 2018
Food containers, cutting boards and bowls found coated with food particles.

— lorraine longhi, azcentral, "Restaurant inspections: Meat stored in cardboard boxes among violations," 11 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of coat

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

coat Synonyms

Synonyms

blanket, carpet, cover, overlay, overlie, overspread, sheet;

cloak, clothe, curtain, veil;

circle, encircle, encompass;

COAT Defined for English Language Learners

coat

noun

Definition of coat for English Language Learners

: an outer piece of clothing that can be long or short and that is worn to keep warm or dry
: a piece of clothing that is worn over a shirt as part of a suit
: the outer covering of fur, hair, or wool on an animal

coat

verb

Definition of coat for English Language Learners

: to cover (something or someone) with a thin layer of something

COAT Defined for Kids

coat

noun \ ˈkōt \

Definition of coat for Students

1 : an outer garment worn especially for warmth

2 : the outer covering (as fur or feathers) of an animal

3 : a layer of material covering a surface

a coat of paint

—

coated

\-əd\ adjective

coat

verb

Definition of coat for Students

coated; coating

: to cover with a coat or covering

Medical Dictionary

coat

noun \ ˈkōt \

medical Definition of coat

1 : the external growth on an animal

2 : a layer of one substance covering or lining another; especially : one covering or lining an organ

the coat of the eyeball

Learn More about coat

See words that rhyme with coat Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for coat Spanish Central: Translation of coat Nglish: Translation of coat for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of coat for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coat

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coat

Definition of coat

coated

coatless

Examples of coat in a Sentence

Recent Examples of coat from the Web

Origin and Etymology of coat

coat Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

coat

Definition of coat

coater

Examples of coat in a Sentence

Recent Examples of coat from the Web

First Known Use of coat

coat Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to COAT

Related Phrases

COAT Defined for English Language Learners

coat

Definition of coat for English Language Learners

coat

Definition of coat for English Language Learners

COAT Defined for Kids

coat

Definition of coat for Students

coated

coat

Definition of coat for Students

Medical Dictionary

coat

medical Definition of coat

Learn More about coat

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