cloak

[klohk]

noun

1. a loose outer garment, as a cape or coat.

2. something that covers or conceals; disguise; pretense.

   He conducts his affairs under a cloak of secrecy.

   Synonyms: veil, mask, cover

verb (used with object)

1. to cover with or as if with a cloak.

   She arrived at the opera cloaked in green velvet.

2. to hide; conceal.

   The mission was cloaked in mystery.

cloak

/ kləʊk /

noun

1. a wraplike outer garment fastened at the throat and falling straight from the shoulders

2. something that covers or conceals

verb

1. to cover with or as if with a cloak

2. to hide or disguise

Other Word Forms

• cloakless adjective
• undercloak noun
• well-cloaked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cloak¹

1175–1225; Middle English cloke (< Old French ) < Medieval Latin cloca, variant of clocca bell-shaped cape, bell; clock ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cloak¹

C13: from Old French cloque, from Medieval Latin clocca cloak, bell; referring to the bell-like shape

Example Sentences

The cloak of invincibility that Liverpool carried last season has been replaced by a soft - very soft - underbelly.

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“I’ve always been human, and I don’t think witches with fly cloaks exist.”

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She had found most of what she needed on the garment racks, but she wanted a heavier fabric to make a warm cloak.

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A borrowed cloak from the teacher’s cloakroom was quickly found for Penelope’s use.

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The man’s voice startled Penelope, and she found herself slipping the guidebook out of sight beneath her cloak.

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Related Words

• camouflage 
• conceal 
• dress up 
• obscure 
• shroud 
• veil