clothing

1 of 2

noun

cloth·​ing ˈklō-t͟hiŋ 

: items (as of cloth) designed to be worn to cover the body

The children and their teachers strolled up the path, the colors of their winter clothing bright against the monotone of the field.

—Ward Just

… radiating vibrance through her bright clothing and makeup.

—Hannah Jones

also : coverings

… seeks to regulate and adopt flammability standards to upholstered furniture, mattresses, bed clothing and candles.

—Home Textiles Today

see also:

wolf in sheep's clothing

clothing

2 of 2

present participle of clothe

Synonyms of clothing

Noun

• clothes
• attire
• garments
• apparel
• dress

Examples of clothing in a Sentence

Noun

an expensive article of clothing

We're collecting food and clothing for the poor.

Only people wearing protective clothing may enter the room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Bank of America’s card data from January through July 2026 show older households put a bigger share of their spending toward groceries, and a smaller share toward restaurants, gasoline, general merchandise, and clothing. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

Founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry, the company initially specialized in weather-resistant clothing that became popular with explorers and military personnel. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026

As Roy Lichtenstein was hitting his stride as an artist and leading figure in the American Pop art movement of the 1960s, Gap was establishing itself as a clothing brand that would later become synonymous with casual American style and culture. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Over the summer, the retailer expanded its clothing fabrics floor by 140 percent, taking over an area formerly dedicated to tableware, crockery and small home furnishings. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing clothing

• nonrestrictive clothing
• not wearing a stitch (of clothes/clothing)
• wolf in sheep's clothing

Rhymes for clothing

• underclothing

Kids Definition

clothing

noun

cloth·​ing ˈklō-t͟hiŋ 

1

: covering for the human body

2

: something that covers or conceals