ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cloth

n.
US //ˈkɫɔθ// UK //klˈɒθ// cloth
  1. 1 fabric material (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    material made by weaving or knitting threads together, used to make clothes or other items.

    a fabric formed by weaving, knitting, or felting fibers. Uncountable when referring to the general material.

    Example

    The designer chose a heavy wool cloth for the winter coats.

    Example

    The merchant specialized in high-quality silk cloth imported from regional weavers who used traditional hand-looming techniques.

    Usage

    Uncountable in this sense.
    Pitfall
    I need to buy some new cloths for my summer wardrobe.
    I need to buy some new clothes for my summer wardrobe.

    Use 'cloth' for the material and 'clothes' (pronounced like 'close') for the things you wear.

  2. 2 cleaning tool (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a small piece of fabric used for a specific job, like cleaning or dusting.

    a specific piece of fabric used for a particular purpose, typically cleaning, wiping, or polishing.

    Example

    Use a damp cloth to wipe the dust off the bookshelf.

    Example

    The technician used a specialized microfiber cloth to remove fingerprints from the delicate camera lens without scratching the glass.

    Usage

    Countable in this sense.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 table covering (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a large piece of fabric used to cover a table, especially during a meal.

    a tablecloth, particularly one spread for a formal meal.

    Example

    She spread a white cloth over the table before the guests arrived.

    Example

    The staff were instructed to lay the cloth with precision, ensuring the silver was perfectly aligned for the evening banquet.

    Usage

    Often used in the phrase 'lay the cloth'.
  2. 4 the clergy (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Religion

    a way to refer to priests or ministers as a group.

    a collective term for the priesthood or clergy, derived from the distinctive professional attire they wear.

    Example

    He felt a calling to the cloth from a very young age.

    Example

    As a man of the cloth, he felt a profound responsibility to provide spiritual guidance to the community during times of crisis.

    Usage

    Usually used with the definite article: 'the cloth'.
Origin

From Middle English cloth, clath, from Old English clāþ (“cloth, clothes, covering, sail”), from Proto-Germanic klaiþą (“garment”), perhaps from Proto-Indo-European gleyt- (“to cling to, cleave, stick”) (compare Albanian ngjit (“to stick, attach, glue”)), a form of *gleh₁y- (“to smear; to stick”). Cognate with Scots clath (“cloth”), North Frisian klaid (“dress, garment”), Saterland Frisian Klood (“dress, apparel”), West Frisian kleed (“cloth, article of clothing”), Dutch kleed (“robe, dress”), Low German kleed (“dress, garment”), German Kleid (“gown, dress”), Danish klæde (“cloth, dress”), Norwegian klede, Swedish kläde (“cloth”), Icelandic klæði (“cloth, dressing”), Old English clīþan (“to adhere, stick”).

Word family
Idioms4 entries

© 2026 English Reference