glove

American  

[gluhv] / glʌv /

noun

1. a covering for the hand made with a separate sheath for each finger and for the thumb.

2. boxing glove.

3. baseball glove.

4. gauntlet.

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verb (used with object)

gloved, gloving

1. to cover with or as if with a glove; provide with gloves.

2. to serve as a glove for.

idioms

1. throw down the glove. gauntlet.

2. handle with kid gloves. kid gloves.

3. hand and glove. hand.

4. take up the glove. gauntlet.

glove British  

/ ɡlʌv /

noun

1. (often plural) a shaped covering for the hand with individual sheaths for the fingers and thumb, made of leather, fabric, etc See also gauntlet 1

2. any of various large protective hand covers worn in sports, such as a boxing glove

3. informal in an intimate relationship or close association

4. informal to treat with extreme care

5. informal (of a dispute, argument, etc) conducted mercilessly and in earnest, with no reservations

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verb

1. (tr; usually passive) to cover or provide with or as if with gloves

glove More Idioms  

1. see fit like a glove; hand in glove; handle with kid gloves; hang up (one's gloves); with the gloves off.

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Other Word Forms

• gloved
  adjective
• gloveless
  adjective
• glovelike
  adjective
• ungloved
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of glove

before 900; Middle English; Old English glōf; cognate with Old Norse glōfi

Explanation

A glove is a piece of clothing that you wear on your hand, to protect it or keep it warm. Most people wear a pair of gloves, unless — of course — they are imitating Michael Jackson. Cold-weather gloves are soft and warm, made from fabrics like wool, polar fleece, or leather. There are also gloves that protect the skin on your hands while you're cleaning, using chemicals, or washing dishes; and gloves that prevent the spreading of germs, worn by food handlers and health care workers. Athletes sometimes wear gloves as well, like boxing gloves or the gloves worn by hockey goalies.

Example Sentences

David Raya is a strong contender for Arsenal's player of the season 2025-26, with the Spain keeper recording 19 clean sheets in the Premier League to win his third consecutive golden glove award.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

"Nicola Sturgeon ran that party with a rod of iron, hand and glove with her husband," she said.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Drake’s always been a bully, throwing stones from his frigid fortress of solitude and hiding his hand in a diamond-encrusted glove he won at auction.

From Salon • May 21, 2026

I have my glove and baseball cap from “A League of Their Own.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Then she searched the glove box and pulled out a piece of paper.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

Related Words

• mitt