Covering

ˈkʌvərɪŋ

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
4 meanings3 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

4 meanings
1

To place something over or on top of something to hide or protect it.

ˈkʌvər

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To place something over or on top of something else to protect or conceal it.

The gardener covered the plants with a sheet to protect them from the frost.

💡 Simply: Like putting a blanket on a bed to keep someone warm, covering something means putting something over it to hide or protect it. Think of covering a messy room with a blanket when guests arrive!

👶 For kids: To put something on top of something else, like putting a blanket on a bed.

More Examples

2

She carefully covered the painting with a drop cloth to avoid spills.

3

He covered his face with his hands when he was embarrassed.

How It's Used

General

"She covered the cake with frosting."

Medical

"The nurse covered the wound with a sterile bandage."

2

Something that is used to conceal or protect something else.

ˈkʌvərɪŋ

nounneutralBeginner
Object

Something that covers or conceals something else.

The snow provided a beautiful white covering for the landscape.

💡 Simply: A covering is like a roof, a blanket, or even your clothes – something that goes over or around something else to protect it or hide it. Think about a blanket as your 'bed covering'.

👶 For kids: Something that goes on top of something to keep it safe or hidden, like a blanket or a roof.

More Examples

2

The insurance policy provided covering for any unexpected costs.

3

They applied a protective covering to the delicate artwork.

How It's Used

General

"The tent provided a good covering from the rain."

Construction

"The roof is the covering of the house."

Tip:Think of a blanket, tarp, or roof.
3

Financial protection or insurance.

ˈkʌvərɪŋ

nounneutralIntermediate
Abstract

Insurance or financial protection.

The car insurance offers covering against theft and damage.

💡 Simply: Think of it like an umbrella that protects you from financial problems! Having 'covering' means that if something bad happens (like a car accident), you have help to pay for the costs.

👶 For kids: Money or help to pay for things if something goes wrong.

More Examples

2

This investment provides covering against market fluctuations.

3

Do you have covering for the trip?

How It's Used

Finance

"The policy provides comprehensive covering for medical expenses."

Business

"The company provides covering for employee expenses."

Tip:Picture an umbrella protecting you from the rain (financial risk).
4

Serving to cover; protective.

ˈkʌvərɪŋ

adjectiveneutralIntermediate
Quality

Relating to the action of covering something.

The covering layer of paint was applied smoothly.

💡 Simply: Something that is 'covering' means it's meant to protect or hide something. Like, 'covering material' is the thing you use to protect or hide the item.

👶 For kids: Something that's meant to hide or protect.

More Examples

2

We needed a covering blanket for the picnic.

3

The covering film protected the screen from scratches.

How It's Used

General

"The covering material was waterproof."

Tip:Think of the covering material as the protective layer.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

cover your tracks

To hide evidence of what you have done, especially something dishonest or illegal.

"The thief tried to cover his tracks by erasing the security footage."

under cover

Working secretly or undercover, especially for the police or military.

"The detective worked under cover to infiltrate the gang."

covering letter

A letter sent with a document, explaining its purpose.

"Please include a covering letter with your resume."

From the Old French word "covrir" (to cover), derived from the Latin "cooperire" (to cover entirely), from "co-" (together) + "operire" (to cover).

The word "cover" and its derivatives have been used since Old English times to denote the act of concealing or protecting.

Memory tip

Imagine a blanket covering a sleeping person.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to cover entirely"

cover upcovering lettercover your tracksprovide coveringprotective coveringsurface covering

Common misspellings

coverringcoveringg

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written