glove: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral, formal, informal
Quick answer
What does “glove” mean?
A covering for the hand, with separate sections for each finger and the thumb.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A covering for the hand, with separate sections for each finger and the thumb.
1. A padded protective covering for the hand, especially in sports. 2. A metaphorical term for a style or manner of handling something (e.g., 'fits like a glove').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually none for the noun. The verb 'to glove' (to put on gloves, to provide with gloves) is exceptionally rare in both. Slight preference in British English for 'glove compartment' (car), while 'glove box' is also common.
Connotations
Identical. Connotes warmth, protection, style, or sports.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects. No significant frequency variation.
Grammar
How to Use “glove” in a Sentence
The cold [necessitates/warrants] warm gloves.She [pulled on/slipped into] her leather gloves.He [handed/offered] me a glove.This task [requires/calls for] protective gloves.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “glove” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The wicketkeeper gloved the catch cleanly.
- He was gloved and ready for the frosty morning.
American English
- The catcher gloved the foul tip for the out.
- She gloved her hands before stepping into the freezer.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form. Not used.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form. Not used.)
adjective
British English
- The glove compartment was full of old maps. (glove functions as noun adjunct)
- Glove manufacturing is a traditional industry here.
American English
- Check the glove box for the registration. (noun adjunct)
- He works in glove design for a tech company.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in retail (glove sales) or manufacturing contexts.
Academic
Rare, except in historical texts (e.g., 'throwing down the gauntlet') or materials science (protective gear).
Everyday
Very common. Discussing weather, cooking, cleaning, driving ('glove compartment'), sports.
Technical
Common in safety (PPE), sports equipment, medical/surgical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “glove”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “glove”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “glove”
- Using 'gloves' as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'I need glove' is wrong; it's 'I need gloves/a pair of gloves').
- Confusing 'glove' (fingers) with 'mitten' (one pouch).
- Spelling: 'glow' vs. 'glove'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a countable noun. You have 'a glove', 'two gloves', or 'a pair of gloves'.
A glove has separate sheaths for all four fingers and the thumb. A mitten has one large compartment for the four fingers and a separate one for the thumb.
It's a small storage compartment in the dashboard of a car, originally intended for storing driving gloves.
Yes, but it is rare and mostly used in sports (e.g., baseball, cricket) to mean 'to catch with a glove'. It can also mean 'to put gloves on'.
A covering for the hand, with separate sections for each finger and the thumb.
Glove is usually neutral, formal, informal in register.
Glove: in British English it is pronounced /ɡlʌv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡlʌv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fits like a glove (fits perfectly)”
- “hand in glove (working closely together, often secretly)”
- “the gloves are off (a confrontation is starting without restraint)”
- “handle/treat someone with kid gloves (treat very delicately)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'love' being kept warm inside a 'g-love'. You need gloves for love in cold weather.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A COVERING (gloves protect hands). A PERFECT FIT IS A GLOVE (fits like a glove). CLOSE COOPERATION IS BEING IN A GLOVE (hand in glove).
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'the gloves are off' mean?