ENGLISH
REFERENCE

clothes

n.
US //ˈkɫoʊðz// UK //klˈəʊðz// clothes
  1. 1 bedding (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the sheets and blankets used on a bed.

    the coverings of a bed, such as sheets, blankets, and quilts. Often used in the compound form 'bedclothes'.

    Example

    He pulled the clothes up to his chin to stay warm during the cold night.

    Example

    The nurse carefully straightened the clothes on the patient's bed to ensure maximum comfort during the recovery period.

  2. 2 laundry (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    items that have been washed and are ready to be dried.

    laundry items, specifically when being processed or hung out to dry.

    Example

    It started to rain, so I had to run outside and bring the clothes in.

    Example

    The backyard was filled with the scent of fresh detergent as the wet clothes flapped gently on the line in the afternoon breeze.

Etymology 1

From Middle English clothes, cloþes, plural of cloth, cloþ (“cloth, garment”), from Old English clāþas (“clothes”), plural of clāþ (“cloth”), equivalent to cloth + -es. Cognate with Scots clathes, claes (“clothes”), Danish klæder, Norwegian Bokmål klær, Norwegian Nynorsk klede, German Kleider.

Etymology 2

From clothe + -s.

Idioms4 entries

© 2026 English Reference