Cloud
klaʊd
Definitions
4 meaningsA visible collection of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air.
klaʊd
A visible mass of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere.
The sky was filled with dark, ominous clouds.
💡 Simply: Imagine a big puff of water in the sky. When the sun heats the water, it goes up in the air and becomes a cloud. Sometimes it rains or snows out of the cloud!
👶 For kids: A cloud is like a big, fluffy pillow made of water in the sky.
More Examples
The clouds drifted lazily across the blue expanse.
We could see the clouds from the mountaintop.
How It's Used
"The cloud formations indicated an approaching storm."
"She looked up at the fluffy white clouds."
Something that obscures or darkens; a state of obscurity or uncertainty.
klaʊd
A mass or group of things that obscures something.
A cloud of smoke billowed from the chimney.
💡 Simply: Sometimes 'cloud' means something that makes it hard to see or understand. Like, if you have a 'cloud of doubts,' you're not sure about something.
👶 For kids: A group of stuff that hides something, like a cloud of smoke that makes it hard to see.
More Examples
A cloud of despair descended upon him after his loss.
A cloud of secrecy surrounded the company's dealings.
How It's Used
"A cloud of suspicion hung over the investigation."
"A cloud of dust followed the truck."
To make something dark or obscure, especially figuratively; to dim or darken.
klaʊd
To make something less clear or transparent.
The accident clouded the driver's memory.
💡 Simply: To 'cloud' something means to make it less clear, like when fog clouds the view, or worry clouds your thinking.
👶 For kids: To cloud something means to make it hard to see or understand, like when something is blurry.
More Examples
Fear clouded her ability to think rationally.
The pollution clouded the air.
How It's Used
"Worries clouded his judgment."
"The fog clouded the view."
To become covered with clouds; to darken or become gloomy.
klaʊd
To become dark or overcast; to be covered with clouds.
The sky began to cloud over as the storm approached.
💡 Simply: When it 'clouds over,' it means the sky gets covered with clouds. It can also mean you look sad, like your face 'clouds' over.
👶 For kids: When it clouds over, the sky gets covered with clouds and it's not sunny anymore. It can also mean you look sad.
More Examples
Her brow clouded with concern.
The weather is expected to cloud up later today.
How It's Used
"The sky began to cloud over as the storm approached."
"Her face clouded with sadness."
Idioms & expressions
on cloud nine
Extremely happy; elated.
"She was on cloud nine after winning the lottery."
a silver lining (to the cloud)
A hopeful sign in a difficult situation; something positive that comes out of a bad situation.
"Losing the job was a blow, but the silver lining was that she had time to pursue her passion."
under a cloud
Suspicious; having a bad reputation or under suspicion.
"The politician is under a cloud of suspicion after the bribery allegations."
From Old English *clud* (mass of rock, hill), akin to Proto-Germanic *klūta- (clod, lump), ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root referring to a lump or mass.
The word 'cloud' has existed in the English language since the Old English period, evolving from the Proto-Germanic root.
Memory tip
Think of a fluffy white cotton ball in the sky.
Word Origin
"lump, mass"