cloth

cloth — noun

1. A natural or synthetic fabric produced by weaving, knitting, or bonding fibres t

1.nounB2
Definition

A natural or synthetic fabric produced by weaving, knitting, or bonding fibres together, used for making items such as clothes, curtains, upholstery, or covers.

Example

The tailor chose a lightweight cotton cloth for the summer dress.

cotton cloth / woollen cloth / silk cloth — material type

Aiko bought three metres of woollen cloth to sew curtains for the living room.

countable quantifier: metres/yards of cloth

Common collocations
  • cotton cloth
  • woollen cloth
  • silk cloth
  • linen cloth
  • woven cloth
  • raw cloth
  • piece of cloth
Synonyms
  • fabric

    the most common interchangeable term; preferred when describing texture or pattern

  • textile

    more technical or industrial; often refers to manufactured fibres and the weaving industry

  • material

    broader term that can also refer to non-woven substances like plastic or leather

  • stuff

    informal; e.g. 'What kind of stuff is this shirt made of?'

Usage Note

Uncountable in this sense — do not say 'a cloth' to mean a type of fabric; instead say 'a type of cloth' or 'a fabric'. Do not confuse with 'clothes' (garments) or 'clothing' (garments collectively).

Common Mistakes

She bought a beautiful cloth for her wedding dress.
She bought a beautiful piece of cloth for her wedding dress.
cloth meaning fabric is uncountable; use 'piece of cloth' or 'fabric'.
I need to wash my cloths.
I need to wash my clothes.
'clothes' are garments; 'cloth' is material.

2. Any of various small squares or strips of soft fabric used for wiping surfaces,

2.nounB2
Definition

Any of various small squares or strips of soft fabric used for wiping surfaces, drying dishes, or removing dust and household spills.

Example

Ravi wiped the kitchen counter with a damp cloth after cooking dinner.

damp cloth / dry cloth — common modifier pairing

Leila grabbed a clean cloth and polished the bathroom mirror until it shone.

cleaning cloth / polishing cloth — purpose modifier

Common collocations
  • damp cloth
  • clean cloth
  • soft cloth
  • dusting cloth
  • polishing cloth
  • oily cloth
Synonyms
  • rag

    more informal; often refers to an old or torn piece of cloth used for rough cleaning

  • wipe

    chiefly British; e.g. 'kitchen wipe' — often a disposable or pre-moistened cloth

  • towel

    specifically designed for drying; larger and more absorbent than a typical cleaning cloth

  • duster

    a cloth specifically designed for removing dust

Usage Note

Countable in this sense — 'a cloth' refers to a single piece. The plural is 'cloths' (not 'clothes'). Common compound forms include 'dishcloth', 'washcloth', 'tablecloth', and 'dustcloth'.

Common Mistakes

I used a cloth to dry my hands — now I need to put my cloths on.
I used a cloth to dry my hands
now I need to put my clothes on.' — 'cloths' (pieces of fabric) vs 'clothes' (garments).
Can you pass me a cloths?
Can you pass me a cloth?
singular countable noun needs an article.
Idioms

cut from the same cloth

idiom

To be very similar in character, behaviour, or background to another person.

The two brothers are cut from the same cloth — both are honest and hardworking.

Our new manager and the old one are cut from the same cloth; neither listens to staff suggestions.

make something up out of whole cloth

idiom

To invent a story, explanation, or claim that has no basis in truth or fact.

The journalist made the entire interview out of whole cloth and was later fired.

No one believed the rumour — it was made up out of whole cloth by a rival company.

the cloth

idiom

The Christian clergy as a group; members of the church who are ordained as priests or ministers.

The bishop dedicated his life to the cloth and served the community for over forty years.

Two men of the cloth led the interfaith prayer service at the town hall.

cut your coat according to your cloth

idiom

To spend only as much money as you have and avoid spending beyond your means.

With the pay cut, we had to cut our coat according to our cloth and cancel the holiday.

The company learned to cut its coat according to its cloth after the recession hit profits.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to something that can be made into clothing or other items, but they differ in scope and register. Cloth is the most concrete term — it names the woven/knitted stuff itself ('a bolt of cotton cloth'). Fabric is the closest synonym and the most versatile for describing texture, colour, or pattern ('a soft, breathable fabric'). Textile carries a technical or industrial tone, often used in manufacturing, trade, or design ('the global textile industry'). Material is the broadest of the group — it can refer to fabric but also to leather, plastic, metal, or any substance used to make something ('What material is this bag made of?'). In everyday conversation, fabric and cloth are largely interchangeable when talking about dressmaking or upholstery; textile sounds more formal or commercial; material works well when you are unsure of the exact fibre content.

fabric ↗textile ↗material ↗cloth ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • cloth bag
  • cloth cover
  • cloth napkin
  • cloth diaper
  • spirit cloth

Phrases

  • a bolt of cloth
  • a length of cloth
  • a strip of cloth
  • a piece of cloth

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'cloth' comes from Old English clāþ, meaning a woven or felted material used for covering or wrapping. It is related to Dutch kleed and German Kleid, both of which meant 'garment' in their earlier forms. In Old English, clāþ could already refer either to the fabric itself or to a garment made from it. Over time, the sense split: 'cloth' became the material, while 'clothes' pluralised to mean garments. The modern English meaning — fabric before it is made into something — emerged around the 13th century.