clothing

1 of 2

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

see also:

wolf in sheep's clothing

clothing

2 of 2

present participle of clothe

Synonyms of clothing

Noun

• clothes
• attire
• garments
• apparel
• dress

Examples of clothing in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

Reformation, known for its women’s clothing, shoes and accessories opened at 415 Nichols Road, next door to the future Skims. — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 11 Nov. 2026

Vasquez additionally accused one of her supervisors of throwing a clothing hanger at Vasquez’s feet while reprimanding her. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 11 Nov. 2026

But the content creator sees her clothing purchases as something that will pay off in dividends. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2026

Father Robert was concerned not only with providing food and collecting clothing, blankets, and medicine, but also with building the San Vicente de Paúl village, which took them in at Puerto Etén. — Claudia Rebaza, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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