cloth
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for cloth, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Woven, knitted, or felted material used for clothing, furnishing, or cleaning.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use cloth
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English clāth, related to a root meaning "to cling" or "stick" — describing how fibers hold together in fabric.
Full origin of cloth →Frequently asked questions
What does “cloth” mean?
The word “cloth” means woven, knitted, or felted material used for clothing, furnishing, or cleaning. In plain terms, fabric, or something made from fabric such as a tablecloth or dust cloth.
How do you pronounce “cloth”?
“Cloth” is pronounced kloth (/klɒθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cloth” in a sentence?
Here is “cloth” used in a sentence: “She bought several yards of cloth to make new curtains.”
What part of speech is “cloth”?
“Cloth” is a noun.
Where does the word “cloth” come from?
The word “cloth” comes from Old English. From Old English clāth, related to a root meaning "to cling" or "stick" — describing how fibers hold together in fabric.
Is “cloth” a common word?
“Cloth” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “cloth” have?
“Cloth” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: woven, knitted, or felted material used for clothing, furnishing, or cleaning.
What is the difference between cloth, clothes, and clothing?
"Cloth" is the woven, knitted, or felted material itself, and it is uncountable, as in "a yard of cloth." "Clothes" is a plural-only noun meaning the garments people wear, and "clothing" is an uncountable collective term for garments, common in formal or commercial contexts such as "protective clothing." You cannot use "a cloth" to mean a garment.
What is the plural of cloth — cloths or clothes?
The plural of "cloth" is "cloths," as in "three dishcloths." "Clothes" is a completely separate word meaning garments and is never the plural of "cloth." Confusing the two is a very common spelling mistake.
What is the difference between cloth and fabric?
In most contexts they are interchangeable, both meaning material made by weaving, knitting, or felting fibers. "Fabric" is the more usual term in sewing, fashion, and manufacturing, while "cloth" often appears in everyday and traditional uses, including pieces of material kept for a purpose, such as a dishcloth or tablecloth. Only "cloth" can also refer to the clergy.