# Coats

/ˈkoʊts/ (US) · /kˈəʊts/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/coats
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. layers of material

noun · CEFR B1

layers of something, like paint or polish, that cover a surface.

For teachers: multiple layers of a substance applied to a surface for protection or decoration.

- The old wooden door needed three coats of white paint to look new again.
- The restorer applied several thin coats of varnish to the mahogany table, allowing each layer to dry thoroughly before adding the next.

## Examples

- You should wear your warm coats today because it is snowing.
- The guests hung their heavy winter coats in the hallway before entering the warm living room for dinner.
- While lightweight jackets suffice for the autumn breeze, the plummeting temperatures of January necessitate heavy woollen coats to maintain body heat during the morning commute.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.