cloth
kloth
Cloth (noun) means Woven, knitted, or felted material used for clothing, furnishing, or cleaning. Example: “The tailor chose a soft cloth for the summer dress.”
noun
1
Woven, knitted, or felted material used for clothing, furnishing, or cleaning.
"The tailor chose a soft cloth for the summer dress."
"She bought several yards of cloth to make new curtains."
"He wiped down the counter with a damp cloth."
2
A tablecloth, especially one laid out for a meal.
"Mum spread a checked cloth over the picnic table."
"Someone spilt wine on the cloth during dinner."
"They set a fresh white cloth on the table before the guests arrived."
3
The clergy or priesthood, referred to by their traditional dress.
"The village respected him as a man of the cloth."
"She decided to join the cloth after years of working as a nurse."
"As a man of the cloth, he was expected to set an example for the parish."
How to use cloth
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFabric, or something made from fabric such as a tablecloth or dust cloth.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with the verb "clothe" (to dress someone) or the past tense "clothed."
Common pairings
piece of cloth
cloth napkin
man of the cloth
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Word forms
- Plural
- cloths, clothes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tailor chose a soft _____ for the summer dress.
Etymology
From Old English clāth, related to a root meaning "to cling" or "stick" — describing how fibers hold together in fabric.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for cloth
See all rhymes for 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.
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