adj
Uncommon
clad
klad
Clad (adj) means Dressed or covered in something, especially clothing or a protective layer. Example: “The knight stood clad in armour.”
adj
1
Dressed or covered in something, especially clothing or a protective layer.
"The knight stood clad in armour."
"The hills were clad in snow."
verb
1
To cover something with a protective outer layer, such as insulation or panelling.
"The builders clad the outside of the house in timber."
How to use clad
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCovered or dressed in something — often used poetically for clothing, or technically for building materials.
Common pairings
snow-clad
armour-clad
steel-clad
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- clads
- Past tense
- cladded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The knight stood _____ in armour.
Etymology
From Middle English clad, an old past-tense/participle form of "clothen" (to clothe).
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for clad
See all rhymes for clad →Frequently asked questions
What does “clad” mean?
The word “clad” means dressed or covered in something, especially clothing or a protective layer. In plain terms, covered or dressed in something — often used poetically for clothing, or technically for building materials.
How do you pronounce “clad”?
“Clad” is pronounced klad (/klæd/ in IPA).
How do you use “clad” in a sentence?
Here is “clad” used in a sentence: “The knight stood clad in armour.”
What part of speech is “clad”?
Depending on how it is used, “clad” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “clad” come from?
The word “clad” comes from Middle English. From Middle English clad, an old past-tense/participle form of "clothen" (to clothe).
Is “clad” a common word?
“Clad” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “clad” have?
“Clad” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dressed or covered in something, especially clothing or a protective layer.
Is "clad" the past tense of "clothe"?
"Clad" functions as an older, literary past form of "clothe," but modern English mostly uses it as an adjective, as in "leather-clad" or "snow-clad," rather than as a standalone verb in everyday speech. The regular form "clothed" is far more common today.
What is the difference between "clad" and "cladding"?
"Clad" is the adjective or verb form describing something covered in a protective layer, while "cladding" is the noun for the material itself, such as the panels or insulation used to cover a building's exterior.
