clad: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Literary (for 'dressed'), Technical/Descriptive (for 'covered/sheathed').
Quick answer
What does “clad” mean?
Being dressed or covered in a particular material or clothing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Being dressed or covered in a particular material or clothing.
Refers to being covered, sheathed, or layered with a material (e.g., metal, brick) for protection or appearance; can also describe being dressed in a specific way, often in a somewhat formal or poetic sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight preference in British English for the more poetic/dressed sense (e.g., 'clad in tweed'); both dialects use the technical 'covered' sense equally.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'clad' for 'dressed' carries a formal, old-fashioned, or literary tone.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech for the 'dressed' meaning; higher frequency in technical domains (construction, geology).
Grammar
How to Use “clad” in a Sentence
be clad in [material/clothing]clad [object] with/in [material]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clad” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They will clad the new tower in a copper alloy.
- The workers are cladding the exterior with stone panels.
American English
- The contractor clad the structure in steel sheeting.
- We need to clad the building before winter.
adjective
British English
- The knights were clad in shining armour.
- The new-build features a timber-clad facade.
American English
- He was clad in hiking gear for the trail.
- The cable is vinyl-clad for insulation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in manufacturing/construction (e.g., 'The aluminium-clad panels were installed.').
Academic
Used in geology, materials science, architecture.
Everyday
Rare in casual speech; can sound poetic or pretentious.
Technical
Very common in technical specifications (e.g., 'PVC-clad cable,' 'cladding').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clad”
- Using 'clad' as a simple present verb in casual conversation (*I clad myself*).
- Overusing it for 'wearing' in modern prose.
- Incorrect: *'The house was clad by wood.' Correct: '...clad in/with wood.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a synonym, but 'clad' is more formal, literary, or used in specific technical combinations (e.g., 'armour-clad').
No. The standard past tense and past participle of the verb 'to clad' is 'clad.' 'Cladded' is considered non-standard.
'Clad' is an adjective or verb ('it is clad,' 'to clad something'). 'Cladding' is a noun referring to the material used to cover something ('the building's cladding').
Not in everyday conversation about getting dressed. It is common in technical fields (construction, engineering) and in formal/literary descriptions.
Being dressed or covered in a particular material or clothing.
Clad is usually formal/literary (for 'dressed'), technical/descriptive (for 'covered/sheathed'). in register.
Clad: in British English it is pronounced /klæd/, and in American English it is pronounced /klæd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “clad in glory”
- “clad from head to toe”
- “steel-clad”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CLAD' as 'CLoAtheD' – sharing the letters C-L-A-D.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A COVERING (e.g., 'clad in armour'), IDENTITY/STATUS IS CLOTHING (e.g., 'clad in authority').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'clad' used CORRECTLY?