clothing
Americannoun
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garments collectively
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something that covers or clothes
Etymology
Origin of clothing
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; clothe + -ing 1
Compare meaning
How does clothing compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Clothing is what your wear, like sweaters, shirts, pants, dresses, and so on. Your favorite piece of clothing might be your purple polka dotted tights. Clothing is made of fabric and covers our bodies, keeps them warm or protects them from the sun, insects, sharp rocks and thorns, and other hazards. In some situations, clothing keeps people safe, as when medical workers wear scrubs, gloves, and masks to protect themselves and patients from infection. Often clothing reflects your personal values or religion, like a Muslim woman's hijab that covers her hair. The Old English root is claþ, "cloth or woven material."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Vuori, Saunders noted, offers some denim and clothing that could work in offices or on casual dates.
From MarketWatch • May 31, 2026
The park serves as the cornerstone of Parton’s business empire, which includes everything from a clothing line and a wine label to baking mixes and homeware.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026
Presenter Monty Don has been "reminded" of the BBC's guidelines around clothing after he appeared on Gardeners' World wearing a jacket by a company he has recently promoted.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
If ’00s revivals are all the rage in clothing and aesthetics, it stands to reason that the same would be true in cinema.
From Salon • May 27, 2026
Not only did she tend to Martha’s clothing, but Ona was responsible for Martha Washington’s makeup—powders and rouge were popular at the time.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
