covering
B1Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
A layer or object that is placed on or over something else to enclose, protect, or hide it.
Something that includes or addresses a range of things; also the act of reporting on or dealing with an event or situation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can function as a noun (the object itself) or as a verb in the present participle form (the action of placing something over, or reporting on). As a noun, often used with words indicating the material (e.g., cloth, plastic) or the part covered (e.g., floor, furniture).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'dust cover' is more common for a book's protective jacket; American English often uses 'dust jacket'. In the context of insurance or protection, American English uses 'coverage' where British might use 'cover', but 'covering' (as a gerund/noun) is used similarly.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. Has neutral/functional connotations when referring to physical objects; can have journalistic or financial connotations in extended meanings.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in technical/formal written contexts in both varieties. The verb form 'covering' (e.g., covering a story) is very frequent in media contexts globally.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[N] covering for [NP] (a covering for the pool)[N] covering of [NP] (a covering of snow)[V] covering [NP] (covering the event)be covered by/with [NP] (The furniture was covered with a sheet)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cover your tracks”
- “cover all the bases”
- “under separate cover”
- “break cover”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A 'covering letter/memo' sent with a document or application. In finance, 'covering a position' means closing a short sale by buying the security.
Academic
Used in biology ('leaf covering'), materials science ('protective covering'), and media studies ('media covering of the crisis').
Everyday
Referring to items like bed coverings, table coverings, or a covering of frost/snow.
Technical
In construction/engineering: roof covering, pipe covering for insulation. In military: covering fire.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The BBC will be covering the election results live.
- She is covering her hair with a scarf.
- The report is covering the essential points.
American English
- CNN is covering the press conference tonight.
- We're covering the pool for the winter.
- Your insurance should be covering the damages.
adjective
British English
- Please attach a covering note with your application.
- The troops provided covering fire during the retreat.
- The covering page was missing from the report.
American English
- Make sure to include a covering letter with your resume.
- The covering force engaged the enemy first.
- Check the covering sheet for instructions.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Put a covering on the table before you paint.
- There is a light covering of snow on the ground.
- I wrote a covering letter to explain my job application.
- The journalist is covering the football match for the local newspaper.
- The book's dust covering was torn and faded.
- The course provides a comprehensive covering of 20th-century history.
- The military operation required continuous air covering for the ground troops.
- Her thesis included an exhaustive covering of the relevant theoretical frameworks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COVer on a bed. It's ING on top, covering you. Cover + ING = something that is doing the job of a cover.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A COVERING (e.g., 'covering your back', 'covering your assets'). KNOWLEDGE/ATTENTION IS A COVERING (e.g., 'covering the subject', 'covering the news').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'покрытие' for surfaces like roads ('pavement' or 'surface' is better).
- Avoid using 'covering' as a direct translation for 'обложка' in all contexts; for books, 'cover' is standard.
- The phrase 'covering letter' is a fixed term (сопроводительное письмо), not a 'cover letter' in UK context, though AmE uses 'cover letter'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I need a covering for to protect the machine.' (Correct: 'I need a covering to protect...')
- Incorrect use of article: 'Put a covering over furniture.' (Correct: 'Put a covering over the furniture.')
- Confusing 'covering' (noun/participle) with 'coverage' (extent/scope, especially in insurance/media).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what is a 'covering note' most commonly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. It is the present participle and gerund of the verb 'to cover', and it is also a countable noun meaning 'a thing that covers something else'.
'Cover' is more general and can be abstract (insurance cover) or physical (a book cover). 'Covering' typically refers to a layer or material placed over something, often suggesting it's not a permanent part (a cloth covering, a covering of dust).
Both are correct. 'Cover letter' is standard in American English. 'Covering letter' is the traditional form in British English, though 'cover letter' is now also widely used in the UK.
Yes. It is used metaphorically for things like 'covering a topic' (dealing with it in detail) or 'covering an event' (reporting on it).