clothing

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

Synonyms of clothing

• clothes
• attire
• garments
• apparel
• dress

Examples of clothing in a Sentence

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

There's a one-chair barbershop on the ground floor, and a location of Object, an upscale decor and clothing boutique, on the second floor. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026

According to a NerdWallet survey, families will spend just over $600 per child on school supplies, clothing and books. — Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

The use of contemporary clothing draws explicit modern-day parallels that work perfectly. — Charles Lewis Iii, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026

In its spacious interior, Maria is particularly fond of using the pull-out drawers (wooden on the inside and upholstered out), to store spare bed linens or seasonal clothing. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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