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

• 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

As previously reported by PEOPLE, the person of interest whom authorities believe killed Kirk was described in law enforcement dispatch audio as wearing all-black clothing and tactical gear. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025

But instead of power suits and computer monitors, there was an intimate coziness and undone yet chic comfort to the clothing and the space. —Anika Reed, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025

The perpetrator remains at large as of Thursday afternoon, and the FBI has since released photos of a person of interest, which show a man wearing dark clothing, including a t-shirt bearing an American flag, a hat and sunglasses. —Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Footage of the aftermath showed some victims with severe burns across their bodies and charred clothing. —Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025

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