clothes
A1Neutral; appropriate for all registers from informal to formal.
Definition
Meaning
Items worn to cover the body.
A person's personal wardrobe; clothing as a category or system; garments used for a specific purpose (e.g., bed clothes, work clothes). Can also metaphorically refer to outward appearance or presentation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A plural-only noun (pluralia tantum) with no singular form 'clothe' in this sense. The singular 'cloth' refers to fabric/material. Used with plural verb agreement. Not used with numbers or 'a'; quantified with terms like 'piece(s) of', 'item(s) of', or 'some'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English may use 'kit' informally for sports clothes. 'Trousers' (UK) vs. 'Pants' (US). Minimal difference in the core term itself.
Connotations
Similar. Slightly more formal equivalents include 'garments', 'attire', or 'apparel'.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties. 'Clothing' (the uncountable noun) is also very frequent, often used in more formal or collective contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] + clothes[Adjective] + clothesclothes + [Prepositional Phrase (e.g., for the party)][Determiner (e.g., some, my)] + clothesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the emperor's new clothes”
- “wolf in sheep's clothing”
- “have more money than sense (when spending on clothes)”
- “a fashion victim”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In retail: 'The clothes sector saw a 5% increase in sales.' In HR: 'The company has a smart casual dress code for office clothes.'
Academic
In anthropology/sociology: 'Clothes function as markers of social status and cultural identity.'
Everyday
'I need to do a load of laundry; all my clothes are dirty.' 'She has great taste in clothes.'
Technical
In textile engineering: 'These clothes are manufactured from moisture-wicking synthetic fibres.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- To clothe oneself: 'He clothed himself hastily.'
- To provide clothes: 'The charity aims to clothe the homeless.'
American English
- She quickly clothed the children for school.
- The foundation's mission is to feed and clothe those in need.
adverb
British English
- No common direct adverbial form. Possible: 'She dressed clothes-mindfully.' (Very rare/constructed)
American English
- No common direct adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- Clothes-conscious (fashion-aware).
- A clothes-brush.
- A clothes-line in the garden.
American English
- Clothes-obsessed (focused on fashion).
- A clothes dryer.
- A clothes hanger.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like your new clothes.
- Please put your dirty clothes in the basket.
- She buys clothes every month.
- These clothes are too small for me.
- He packed his clothes for the holiday in a large suitcase.
- You should wear warm clothes; it's cold outside.
- The shop sells expensive designer clothes.
- We need to sort out the clothes for the charity donation.
- Her eclectic taste in clothes reflects her artistic personality.
- The company has relaxed its policy on formal office clothes.
- Sustainable clothes made from organic materials are becoming more popular.
- He was criticised for his outlandish clothes at the formal event.
- The exhibition explores how clothes have been used throughout history to signify power and rebellion.
- Fast fashion has revolutionised how we consume clothes, often at an environmental cost.
- Her dissertation analysed the semiotics of work clothes in corporate versus creative industries.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sentence: 'Close the door when you change your CLOTHES.' This reminds you of the common silent /ð/ pronunciation (sounds like 'close').
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHES ARE A COVERING/SHELL (e.g., 'cloaked in secrecy', 'the bare facts', 'a thinly veiled threat'). CLOTHES ARE A SIGN OF IDENTITY (e.g., 'he wears his heart on his sleeve').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'одежда' as a singular 'cloth'. 'Cloth' is ткань. 'Clothes' is always plural. Can't say 'a clothe'.
- The Russian word 'вещи' can mean both 'things' and 'clothes' (in context), but 'clothes' is more specific.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing all the letters: /kləʊðz/ is less common than /kləʊz/.
- Using a singular verb: 'The clothes is...' (Incorrect) -> 'The clothes are...' (Correct).
- Using with 'a' or numbers: 'I bought a new clothes' (Incorrect) -> 'I bought new clothes / a new item of clothing' (Correct).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun (pluralia tantum). It always takes a plural verb: 'The clothes are...'
'Clothes' refers to individual items (e.g., shirts, trousers). 'Clothing' is an uncountable, more formal/collective term for the category (e.g., 'the clothing industry'). You say 'a piece of clothing', not 'a piece of clothes'.
The most common pronunciation in both UK and US English is /kləʊz/ (rhyming with 'close' the verb). The pronunciation with the /ð/ sound (/kləʊðz/) is also correct but less frequent in casual speech.
No. You cannot use numbers directly with 'clothes'. Instead, say 'two items/pieces of clothing', 'two garments', or specify the items (e.g., 'two shirts').
Collections
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Colors and Clothes
A1 · 45 words · Colors and common items of clothing.
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