Cloak

/kloʊk/

nounBeginnerCommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A loose, outer garment, often sleeveless and without buttons, worn for warmth or concealment.

/kloʊk/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A loose outer garment

She wore a heavy wool cloak to protect herself from the cold.

💡 Simply: Imagine a superhero's cape – that's a cloak! It keeps you warm and can hide you from view, like a secret hiding place.

👶 For kids: It's like a cape, but warmer!

More Examples

2

The spy used his cloak to hide in the shadows.

How It's Used

Literature

"The detective wore a long, dark cloak to conceal his identity."

Fantasy

"The wizard emerged from the shadows, his cloak billowing behind him."

2

To cover or hide something; to conceal.

/kloʊk/

verbneutralIntermediate
General

To hide or conceal

The fog cloaked the city in mystery.

💡 Simply: To cloak something means to hide it, like a magician making a rabbit disappear!

👶 For kids: To hide something.

More Examples

2

He tried to cloak his true feelings.

How It's Used

Military

"The army used smoke to cloak their movements from the enemy."

Figurative

"He tried to cloak his intentions, but they were obvious."

Tip:Imagine cloaking a ship in fog for camouflage.

Idioms & expressions

under the cloak of darkness

Hidden or concealed by the darkness of night.

"They carried out the operation under the cloak of darkness."

From Old English *clac, meaning a 'wrap' or 'covering'. Related to Old Norse 'klakkr', and the modern word 'clack' (a clicking sound made when flapping it).

Historically, cloaks were commonplace attire across Europe, signifying social status in different styles and materials.

Memory tip

Think of cloaking yourself in mystery.

Base: cloak
cloackclokecloack

Usage

20%Spoken
80%Written