clothe

verb

ˈklōt͟h How to pronounce clothe (audio)
clothed or clad ˈklad How to pronounce clothe (audio) ; clothing
Synonyms of clothenext

transitive verb

1
a
: to cover with or as if with cloth or clothing : dress
b
: to provide with clothes
the cost of feeding and clothing a family
2
: to express or enhance by suitably significant language : couch
treaties clothed in stately phraseology
3
: to endow especially with power or a quality
… the nobility in which religion and history can clothe humanity.—D. R. Wallace

Synonyms of clothe

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Examples of clothe in a Sentence

the cost of feeding and clothing your children they liked to clothe the twins in identical outfits just to confuse people
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
City chic couples clad in James Perse T-shirts and Tkees slides, golfers donning Titleist visors, business execs, and island-hopping world travelers can be spotted here. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026 Her characters appears to startle Jeanie in one photo, clad in a chic black and gold ensemble. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Inside, the walls are clad in knotty pine, exuding a subtle, earthy aroma. — Brian Cicioni, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2026 Sabalenka, clad in a semi-sheer dress by Helsa, gushed to Vogue while at the brand’s SoHo flagship on Tuesday. — Paul Chi, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clothe

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English clāthian, from clāth

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of clothe was before the 12th century

Rhymes for clothe

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Browse Nearby Words

clothbound
clothe
clothes
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Cite this Entry

“Clothe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clothe. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

clothe

verb
ˈklōt͟h How to pronounce clothe (audio)
clothed or clad ˈklad How to pronounce clothe (audio) ; clothing
1
a
: to cover with or as if with clothing : dress
b
: to provide with clothes
2
: to express in a certain way
clothe your thoughts clearly
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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