Word
covering
Phoneticscov·er·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkəvɝɪŋ/
UK/kˈʌvəɹɪŋ/
Definitions
01a protective layer
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a layer of something that covers a surface to protect or hide it.
n. a physical layer or object spread over another to provide protection, insulation, or concealment.
“The floor had a thick covering of dust because no one had lived there for years.”
“The delicate seedlings require a light covering of mulch to protect them from the unexpected overnight frost.”
02the act of covering
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the action of putting a layer over something.
n. the process or action of applying a cover or spreading a substance over a surface.
“The covering of the furniture took all afternoon because we had so many chairs.”
“The rapid covering of the landscape by volcanic ash made the evacuation efforts significantly more hazardous for the rescue teams.”
Synonyms
03mathematical sets
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Mathematics Technical
n. a collection of sets that together contain all the points of another set.
n. a collection of sets whose union contains a given set or space. Often used in the context of open covers in topology.
“The professor explained how to find a finite covering for the given set.”
“In topology, a space is considered compact if every open covering has a finite subcollection that also covers the space.”
Synonyms
Etymology
Present participle or participial adjective from cover (verb) + -ing; or, from Middle English coverynge, participle form of coveren, keveren (“to cover”).
From Middle English coverynge, -inge, keverynge, -inge [verbal noun of coveren, keveren (“to cover”)]; or, verbal noun from cover (verb) + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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