What does "cloud" mean?

1. (in the sky) a white or grey mass of water drops floating in the sky. 2. (computing) a way to store and use information on the internet instead of on your own computer. 3. (a mass of something) a large amount of dust, smoke, or insects moving together through the air. 4. (something negative) a feeling or situation that makes you feel sad or worried. 5. (to make unclear) to make something difficult to see through or difficult to understand. 6. (to become misty) to become covered with steam or mist so you cannot see through it.

How do you use "cloud"?

Usually used with the definite article: 'the cloud'. Often used with 'over' or 'up'.

cloud

n. · v.

US //ˈkɫaʊd// UK //klˈaʊd// cloud

1 in the sky (n.)
A2 Elementary

a white or grey mass of water drops floating in the sky.

a visible mass of condensed water vapour or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere.

Example

The sun disappeared behind a thick dark cloud just before the rain started.

Example

Wispy cirrus clouds streaked the upper atmosphere, indicating a change in weather patterns as the cold front approached from the north.
- nebula
2 computing (n.)
B1 Intermediate Computing

a way to store and use information on the internet instead of on your own computer.

a network of remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage, and process data.

Example

I save all my photos to the cloud so I can see them on my phone.

Example

The enterprise migrated its entire database to the cloud to ensure seamless accessibility for its global workforce.

Usage

Usually used with the definite article: 'the cloud'.
- online storage
- remote server
- local storage

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3 a mass of something (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a large amount of dust, smoke, or insects moving together through the air.

a large, moving mass of particles or organisms suspended in the air.

Example

A cloud of dust rose from the road as the truck drove past.

Example

The explosion sent a massive cloud of ash into the stratosphere, disrupting air travel across the continent for several days.
- swarm
- billow
- haze
4 something negative (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a feeling or situation that makes you feel sad or worried.

a state or cause of gloom, suspicion, or trouble hanging over a person or situation.

Example

The news of the factory closing cast a cloud over the whole town.

Example

The scandal cast a persistent cloud over his political career, making it difficult for him to regain the public's trust.
- shadow
- pall
- gloom
5 to make unclear (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to make something difficult to see through or difficult to understand.

to make something obscure, confused, or less clear.

Example

Don't let your anger cloud your judgment when you make this decision.

Example

The witness's testimony served only to cloud the issue further, introducing several contradictions that the jury found difficult to reconcile.
- clarify
- clear
6 to become misty (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to become covered with steam or mist so you cannot see through it.

to become opaque or obscured by moisture or a film.

Example

The bathroom mirror started to cloud over while I was taking a hot shower.

Example

His glasses clouded up immediately as he stepped from the freezing winter air into the humid greenhouse.

Usage

Often used with 'over' or 'up'.
- mist over
- fog up

Word family

Nouncloud
Adjectivecloudy

Idioms3 entries