clothing

American  

[kloh-thing] / ˈkloʊ ðɪŋ /

noun

1. garments collectively; clothes; raiment; apparel.

2. a covering.

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clothing British  

/ ˈkləʊðɪŋ /

noun

1. garments collectively

2. something that covers or clothes

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clothing Idioms  

1. see wolf in sheep's clothing.

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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:

• clothes vs. clothing

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

Laura Jacobs thought she'd never wear animal fur, having witnessed years of protests over its use in clothing -- until suddenly she started spotting it all over New York.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Some sustainable fashion experts advocate for the reduction of clothing production, and recommend that consumers buy less or secondhand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

One consequence is that people cannot wear religious clothing and work in public-sector professions like teaching or the civil service.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

The chief executive of Swedish clothing retailer H&M in March warned that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could dent consumer spending power.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

There’s a clothing shop that, according to its colorful sign, sells “knickknacks and accessories.”

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy