third-person singular verb
It puts clothes on someone or itself.
/kʰloʊðz/Usual pronunciation/kʰloʊz/Also heard
The nurse clothes the patient in a clean gown.
The mother clothes her baby before the family leaves.
American English
How to pronounce clothes
verb · nounB2Common word
KLOHTHZ
/kʰloʊðz/
One syllable.
Form of clothe
The noun clothes is common and normally takes a plural verb; the verb clothes is formal.
It puts clothes on someone or itself.
What to listen for
“Clothes” is usually pronounced /kloʊðz/. You may also hear /kloʊz/ without the “th” sound; both are normal American English pronunciations.
Usual pronunciation/kʰloʊðz/
Also heard/kʰloʊz/
Meanings & examples
third-person singular verb
It provides people with the clothes they need.
/kʰloʊðz/Usual pronunciation/kʰloʊz/Also heard
The charity clothes families in need.
The program clothes hundreds of children each winter.
third-person singular verb
It covers something with a layer or appearance, especially in formal or poetic language.
/kʰloʊðz/Usual pronunciation/kʰloʊz/Also heard
The valley clothes itself in morning mist.
Autumn sunlight clothes the trees in gold.
plural noun
Items such as shirts, pants, and dresses that people wear on their bodies.
She bought new clothes for the party.
They folded their clothes and put them in the drawers.
Useful expressions
to dress someone in particular clothes
They clothed the child in a warm coat.
to be covered or dressed in something; often formal or poetic
The valley was clothed in mist.
Related words & forms
The final -e disappears before -ing: clothing, not clotheing.