clothing

noun

cloth·​ing ˈklō-t͟hiŋ 

: items (as of cloth) designed to be worn to cover the body

The children and their teachers strolled up the path, the colors of their winter clothing bright against the monotone of the field.

—Ward Just

… radiating vibrance through her bright clothing and makeup.

—Hannah Jones

also : coverings

… seeks to regulate and adopt flammability standards to upholstered furniture, mattresses, bed clothing and candles.

—Home Textiles Today

Synonyms of clothing

• clothes
• attire
• garments
• apparel
• dress

Examples of clothing in a Sentence

an expensive article of clothing

We're collecting food and clothing for the poor.

Only people wearing protective clothing may enter the room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her father, Daniel Stein, born in Bavaria, arrived in America in 1841 at the age of eighteen to start a clothing business with his brother Solomon. —Literary Hub, 1 June 2026

Each tournament, the brick slowly fades from the courts, blown about by the wind or tracked back to the lockerroom on the shoes, socks and clothing of the players. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

That includes signs and, yes, hats, t-shirts, buttons, stickers or other clothing promoting a particular candidate or initiative. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026

All of them appear to be wearing coveralls or protective clothing before quickly changing into different clothes near McDonald and Bedford avenues. —Tom Winter, NBC news, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing clothing

• nonrestrictive clothing
• not wearing a stitch (of clothes/clothing)
• wolf in sheep's clothing

Rhymes for clothing

• underclothing

Kids Definition

clothing

noun

cloth·​ing ˈklō-t͟hiŋ 

1

: covering for the human body

2

: something that covers or conceals