cloud

American  

[kloud] / klaʊd /

noun

1. a visible collection of particles of water or ice suspended in the air, usually at an elevation above the earth's surface.

   Synonyms:

   vapor

2. any similar mass, especially of smoke or dust.

3. a dim or obscure area in something otherwise clear or transparent.

4. a patch or spot differing in color from the surrounding surface.

5. anything that obscures or darkens something, or causes gloom, trouble, suspicion, disgrace, etc.

6. a great number of insects, birds, etc., flying together.

   a cloud of locusts obscuring the sun.

   Synonyms:

   army , crowd , host , throng , multitude , horde , swarm

7. Digital Technology.  Usually the cloud any of several, often proprietary, parts of the internet that allow online processing and storage of documents and data as well as electronic access to software and other resources.

   More and more software companies are encouraging users to store their work in the cloud.

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adjective

Digital Technology.

1. of or relating to cloud computing.

   cloud software; cloud servers.

2. relating to or doing business on the internet.

   Google and other cloud companies.

verb (used with object)

1. to overspread or cover with, or as with, a cloud or clouds.

   The smoke from the fire clouded the sun from view.

2. to overshadow; obscure; darken.

   The hardships of war cloud his childhood memories.

3. to make gloomy.

4. (of distress, anxiety, etc.) to reveal itself in (a part of one's face).

   Worry clouded his brow.

5. to make obscure or indistinct; confuse.

   Don't cloud the issue with unnecessary details.

   Synonyms:

   muddle , distort

6. to place under suspicion, disgrace, etc.

7. to variegate with patches of another color.

verb (used without object)

1. to grow cloudy; become clouded.

2. (of a part of one's face) to reveal one's distress, anxiety, etc..

   His brow clouded with anger.

idioms

1. on a cloud,  exceedingly happy; in high spirits.

   On the night of the prom the seniors were on a cloud.

2. under a cloud,  in disgrace; under suspicion.

   After going bankrupt he left town under a cloud.

3. in the clouds,

   1. in a condition of absent-mindedness; lost in reverie.

   2. impractical.

      Their schemes are usually up in the clouds.

cloud British  

/ klaʊd /

noun

1. a mass of water or ice particles visible in the sky, usually white or grey, from which rain or snow falls when the particles coagulate See also cirrus cumulonimbus cumulus stratus

2. any collection of particles visible in the air, esp of smoke or dust

3. a large number of insects or other small animals in flight

4. something that darkens, threatens, or carries gloom

5. jewellery a cloudlike blemish in a transparent stone

6. (modifier) of or relating to cloud computing

   a cloud application

7. not in contact with reality

8. 1. under reproach or suspicion

   2. in a state of gloom or bad temper

9. informal  elated; very happy

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verb

1. to make or become cloudy, overcast, or indistinct

2. (tr) to make obscure; darken

3. (tr) to confuse or impair

   emotion clouded his judgment

4. to make or become gloomy or depressed

5. (tr) to place under or render liable to suspicion or disgrace

6. to render (liquids) milky or dull or (of liquids) to become milky or dull

7. to become or render mottled or variegated

cloud Scientific  

/ kloud /

1. A visible body of very fine water droplets or ice particles suspended in the atmosphere at altitudes ranging up to several miles above sea level. Clouds are formed when air that contains water vapor cools below the dew point.

2. A distinguishable mass of particles or gas, such as the collection of gases and dust in a nebula.

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cloud More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing cloud

• head in the clouds
• on cloud nine
• silver lining, every cloud has
• under a cloud

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Related Words

Cloud, fog, haze, mist differ somewhat in their figurative uses. Cloud connotes especially daydreaming: His mind is in the clouds. Fog and haze connote especially bewilderment or confusion: to go around in a fog ( haze ). Mist has an emotional connotation and suggests tears: a mist in one's eyes.

Other Word Forms

• cloudless adjective
• cloudlessly adverb
• cloudlessness noun
• cloudlike adjective
• intercloud verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of cloud

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English clūd “rock, hill”; akin to clod, Greek gloutós “buttock”; gluteus ( def. )

Example Sentences

“At any given point, trade with our international partners is clouded and difficult,” one executive at an electrical-equipment maker told ISM.

From MarketWatch

One evening, ominous, low-lying tube-shaped clouds known as arcus formed, and whitecaps appeared in the waves.

From The Wall Street Journal

Normally, five regional internet registries spread around the world allocate IP addresses to service providers, cloud companies and others that can demonstrate that they or their clients need them to operate.

From The Wall Street Journal

In “Winter,” for example, the moon that hides behind the clouds in Boucher’s work is clearly visible in the mural, its light causing her snowy field to twinkle.

From The Wall Street Journal

Adopting AI takes organizational change, similar to what happened in the past with the adoption of the PC, the internet, the cloud and mobile.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• darkness
• fog
• gloom
• mist
• puff
• smog
• smoke
• steam
• vapor
• veil