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

His parents, he recalled, struggled to buy him a baseball glove.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

As my bare right hand moved to protect the ball when it entered my glove, it suddenly bounced up sharply and hit the tip of my right hand’s middle finger.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Mrs Justice Stacey said "you were hand in glove with him" and you were "in it together and a willing participant".

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Emirates works hand in glove with Dubai airport to develop a global network of connections using its long‑haul Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

Cala lets it rip, and I position my glove and await the telltale thunk and slight throb of my palm inside my glove.

From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone

Related Words

• mitt