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cover

v. · n.
US //ˈkəvɝ// UK //kˈʌvɐ// cov·er
  1. 1 to place something over (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to put something over another thing to hide or protect it.

    to place something over or upon an object to conceal, protect, or enclose it.

    Example

    Please cover the food with a cloth to keep the flies away.

    Example

    The workers had to cover the fresh concrete with heavy plastic sheets to prevent it from drying too quickly in the midday sun.
  2. 2 to include or deal with (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to include a subject or a certain amount of information.

    to have within one's scope or purview; to address a specific range of topics or data.

    Example

    The first chapter of the book covers the history of the city.

    Example

    The introductory lecture covers the fundamental principles of thermodynamics before moving on to more complex industrial applications.
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  1. 3 to pay for (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to have enough money to pay for something.

    to be sufficient to pay for a cost or to provide the necessary funds for an expense.

    Example

    Ten dollars should be enough to cover the cost of lunch.

    Example

    The grant was specifically designed to cover the travel expenses and accommodation for the visiting researchers.
  2. 4 to travel a distance (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to travel a certain distance.

    to traverse or pass over a specific distance or area.

    Example

    We covered over thirty miles on the first day of our hike.

    Example

    The search party managed to cover the entire northern quadrant of the forest before the heavy fog made further progress impossible.
  3. 5 to replace someone (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to do someone else's work while they are away.

    to act as a substitute or replacement for a colleague during their absence.

    Example

    Can you cover my shift on Friday evening? I have a doctor's appointment.

    Example

    The department head asked if any senior staff could cover the afternoon seminars while the professor was attending the conference.
  4. 6 outer part of a book (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the outside part of a book, magazine, or CD.

    the protective outer layer of a publication or recorded media, typically made of heavier paper or cardboard.

    Example

    The book has a beautiful blue cover with gold letters.

    Example

    The publisher decided to redesign the front cover to appeal to a younger demographic of readers.
  5. 7 protection from view or fire (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Military

    a place where you can hide or stay safe from danger.

    physical terrain or objects that provide protection from enemy observation or fire.

    Example

    The soldiers ran for cover when the rain started to fall heavily.

    Example

    The infantry moved from cover to cover, using the dense undergrowth to remain invisible to the scouts on the ridge.
  6. 8 insurance (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English Law

    protection provided by an insurance company.

    financial protection provided under the terms of an insurance policy.

    Example

    Does your travel insurance provide cover for lost luggage?

    Example

    The policy offers comprehensive cover against fire, theft, and accidental damage for all equipment stored on the premises.
  7. 9 new version of a song (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Music

    a new version of a song that was originally recorded by someone else.

    a new performance or recording of a previously released song by a different artist.

    Example

    The band played a great cover of an old Beatles song.

    Example

    While the original track was a slow ballad, the band's cover transformed it into an upbeat dance anthem.
  8. 10 a lid or top (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    something that is put over an opening or an object.

    a lid, top, or fitted cloth used to close an opening or protect an item.

    Example

    Make sure the cover of the trash can is closed tightly.

    Example

    The custom-made pool cover was designed to withstand heavy snow loads during the winter months.
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin con- Proto-Indo-European *h₁ep-der. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epsder. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epi Proto-Indo-European *h₂wer- Proto-Indo-European *-yeti Latin operiō Latin cooperiō Old French covrirbor. Middle English coveren English cover From Middle English coveren, borrowed from Old French covrir, cueuvrir (modern French couvrir), from Late Latin coperire, from Latin cooperiō (“I cover completely”), from co- (intensive prefix) + operiō (“I close, cover”). Displaced native Middle English thecchen and bethecchen (“to cover”) (from Old English þeccan, beþeccan (“to cover”)), Middle English helen, (over)helen, (for)helen (“to cover, conceal”) (from Old English helan (“to conceal, cover, hide”)), Middle English wrien, (be)wreon (“to cover”) (from Old English (be)wrēon (“to cover”)), Middle English hodren, hothren (“to cover up”) (from Low German hudren (“to cover up”)). According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the original sense of the verb and noun cover was “hide from view” as in its cognate covert. Except in the limited sense of “cover again”, the word recover is unrelated and is cognate with recuperate. Cognate with Spanish cubrir (“to cover”).

Word family
Idioms8 entries

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