glove

American  

[gluhv] / glʌv /

noun

gloves plural

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)

gloves, present (3rd person singular) gloved, past participle, past gloving present participle

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• gloves
  plural

Participles

• gloving
  present
• gloved
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• glove
  simple
• gloves
  simple
• have gloved
  perfect
• has gloved
  perfect
• am gloving
  progressive
• are gloving
  progressive
• is gloving
  progressive
• have been gloving
  perfect progressive
• has been gloving
  perfect progressive

Past

• gloved
  simple
• had gloved
  perfect
• was gloving
  progressive
• were gloving
  progressive
• had been gloving
  perfect progressive

Future

• will glove
  simple
• will have gloved
  perfect
• will be gloving
  progressive
• will have been gloving
  perfect progressive

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

But he steadily improved and became a Gold Glove Award finalist in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

Top Glove supplies 95 billion gloves per year to more than 2,000 customers worldwide.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

“Over the course of a full season,” Gold Glove center fielder Harrison Bader said, “if you can take away more extra-base hits compared to singles in front of you, it’ll be more beneficial.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

A poll released recently by U.S. pollster Gold Glove Consulting found that 72% of Venezuelans think the country is headed in a good direction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

“You take a left on Glove Street,” said the woman.

From "Louisiana's Way Home" by Kate DiCamillo

Related Words

• mitt