cloth in English
- cloth⇄adj. made of cloth.
- cloth⇄cloth, noun, pl.cloths,adjective.
- cloth⇄expr. made out of whole cloth, (Informal.) entirely false or imaginary.
Ex. Isn't this entire story ... made out of whole cloth? (C. Mathews). - cloth⇄expr. the cloth, clergymen; the clergy.
Ex. I could not but wonder at the spartan way of life evidently followed by the young gentlemen who at more normal times occupied the rooms in which I and my colleagues of the cloth were put to live for a wee - cloth⇄noun 1. material made in sheets or webs from wool, cotton, silk, linen, rayon, hair, or other fiber, by weaving, knitting, or rolling and pressing. Cloth is used for clothing, curtains, bedding, and many other purposes.
Ex. Essentially the differen - cloth⇄outing flannel orcloth
a soft cotton cloth with a short nap, woven to look like flannel.
cloth in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
cloth in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
Cloth
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/klɔːθ/
Definitions
1. (Noun) A piece of fabric or textile, typically used for cleaning, covering, or protecting things.
2. (Noun) A type of material, especially one that is woven, knitted, or felted, used in the production of garments, upholstery, and other items.
3. (Noun) A cloth item used in specific settings, such as a "dishcloth" or "tablecloth."
Usage Examples
- "She wiped the table with a cloth."
- "The cloth on the couch was made of soft velvet."
- "The dishcloth is hanging by the sink."
- "He used a cloth to cover the books."
Etymology
The word "cloth" comes from Old English "cloth," which means a piece of fabric or textile, derived from Proto-Germanic "kloth" and Proto-Indo-European "klōtos," meaning a woven fabric or covering. The use of the term dates back to the early Middle Ages.
Synonyms
- Fabric
- Textile
- Material
- Clothwork
- Rag
Antonyms
- Plastic
- Metal
- Leather
- Wood
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Ropa | ˈro.pa |
| French | Tissu | tiˈsu |
| German | Stoff | ʃtɔf |
| Italian | Straccio | ˈstrattʃo |
| Chinese | 布 | bù |
| Arabic | قماش | qimāsh |
| Hindi | कपड़ा | kapṛā |
| Bengali | কাপড় | kāpaṛ |
| Gujarati | કપડું | kapḍuṁ |
| Kannada | ಕಪಡು | kapaḍu |
| Malayalam | കപടം | kapaṭaṁ |
| Marathi | कपडा | kapḍā |
| Odia | କପଡ଼ | kapadā |
| Punjabi | ਕਪੜਾ | kapṛā |
| Telugu | కపడు | kapaḍu |
| Tamil | பட்டை | paṭṭai |
| Urdu | کپڑا | kapṛā |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
In American English, "cloth" is often pronounced with a longer "o" sound /klɔːθ/, while in British English, it may sound slightly sharper, with a shorter "o" sound /klɒθ/.
Historical Usage
The use of cloth as a material has been integral to human civilization for thousands of years, with the earliest forms of cloth being made from plant fibers, animal fibers, and later synthetic materials. The word "cloth" has been used since the 12th century, and its evolution tracks with the development of textile production methods across various cultures.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, cloth is not just a material but a symbol of status, identity, and craftsmanship. For example, in India, traditional cloths like saris and turbans hold cultural significance, while in the Western world, fashion and clothing trends play a major role in cultural expression. Cloth also has spiritual significance in various traditions, such as the use of cloth in religious ceremonies and as offerings.
More Information
Cloth is a versatile and essential material used in countless applications, from clothing to industrial uses. It is made by weaving or knitting fibers together and can be derived from natural sources like cotton, wool, and silk, or from synthetic sources like polyester and nylon. Over the centuries, the development of cloth has gone hand-in-hand with the advancement of human societies, playing a central role in fashion, trade, and daily life.