noun A1 Beginner Very common

clothes

klohz

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Clothes (noun) means Items worn on the body to cover it, keep it warm or present a chosen appearance — shirts, trousers, dresses, coats and the like — taken together. Example: “Put your clothes in the wash before you go out.”

noun

Items worn on the body to cover it, keep it warm or present a chosen appearance — shirts, trousers, dresses, coats and the like — taken together.

"Put your clothes in the wash before you go out."

"She spends almost nothing on clothes."

"I need to buy some warm clothes before the winter arrives."

How to use clothes

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe things you wear.

When to use it

Neutral and everyday. Attire and apparel are formal or trade terms; garments is retail and laundry language.

Memory tip

Cloths (with no E before the S) is the plural of cloth, meaning pieces of fabric. Clothes means garments. They are different words with different pronunciations.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

clothing → cloths cloves close →

Common pairings

clothes on change your clothes clothes shop dirty clothes clothes horse

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “clothes” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Put your _____ in the wash before you go out.

Etymology

From Old English clathas, the plural of clath 'cloth, garment'; clothes and cloth are historically the same word.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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clothing garments attire dress outfit apparel

Related words

team organization band wear firm dress suit clothing

Rhymes for clothes

plainclothes

See all rhymes for clothes →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between clothes and clothing?

They mean the same things but behave differently. Clothes is always plural and takes a plural verb; clothing is uncountable and slightly more formal or general. Say my clothes are dirty, and the clothing industry, not my clothings.

Is clothes singular or plural?

Always plural. There is no singular form — you cannot say a clothe. For one item, say a piece of clothing, an item of clothing, or name the garment.

How is clothes pronounced?

Most speakers say it as klohz, identical to close as in close the door. Carefully pronouncing the TH is not wrong but sounds unusual in ordinary speech.

What is the meaning of clothes?

"clothes" (noun) means items worn on the body to cover it, keep it warm or present a chosen appearance — shirts, trousers, dresses, coats and the like — taken together.

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team organization band wear firm dress suit clothing