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

These upcoming duties cover a wide array of items ranging from wine, dairy and hockey sticks to cement, clothing, furniture and swimming pools. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 July 2026

Biggs told Entertainment Tonight that her career in the spotlight began at 18 months old when she was cast in a photoshoot for the Kardashians’ kids clothing line. — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

While the outcome may also be a welcome aesthetic change, the motivation is often functional—relief from discomfort during movement, chafing during exercise, pinching in clothing, pain with intimacy, and recurrent infections. — Anonymous, Allure, 23 July 2026

Any gaps in clothing offer ticks a chance to hop over and latch on, and tucking your pants into your socks eliminates that critical pants-to-socks gap. — Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 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