glove

glove — noun

1. a hand covering with separate tubes that fit each finger individually, plus a wi

1.nounA1
Definition

a hand covering with separate tubes that fit each finger individually, plus a wider tube for the thumb, worn for warmth, protection, or as part of a uniform or sports kit

Example

Ishaan put on his leather gloves before going out into the snow.

collocation: leather gloves

The nurse at the clinic wore rubber gloves while examining the patient.

collocation: rubber gloves

Common collocations
  • leather gloves
  • wool gloves
  • rubber gloves
  • gardening gloves
  • oven gloves
  • baseball glove
  • boxing gloves
  • a pair of gloves
  • put on your gloves
  • take off your gloves
  • pull on your gloves
Synonyms
  • mitten

    covers all four fingers together with a single section; warmer but less dexterous than a glove

  • mitt

    can refer to a short glove with exposed fingers (oven mitt) or a baseball glove; less structured than a full glove

Grammar Patterns

a pair of gloves

glove + noun (compound)

Usage Note

Often used in compound nouns that specify the material (leather gloves, rubber gloves) or the purpose (oven gloves, gardening gloves, boxing gloves). A glove is distinct from a mitten, which has one section for all four fingers rather than individual finger slots.

Common Mistakes

She wore gloves to shovel snow, but they had no separate fingers.
She wore mittens to shovel snow, because they keep fingers warmer together.
A glove has separate finger sections; a mitten has one section for all fingers plus a thumb.
Idioms

fit like a glove

idiom

to be the perfect size and shape for someone, especially when referring to clothing

Feng tried on the jacket and it fit like a glove, so he bought it immediately.

The tailor adjusted the shoulders until the suit fit like a glove.

the gloves are off

idiom

used to say that a situation has become more serious or competitive and people are no longer being polite or holding back

After the personal insults during the debate, the gloves were off between the two candidates.

The negotiation turned bitter when the gloves came off and both sides made harsh demands.

hand in glove

idiom

working very closely with someone, often in a secret, dishonest, or illegal way

The reporter discovered that the politician was hand in glove with several real estate developers.

The two companies worked hand in glove to fix the prices of their products.

handle with kid gloves

idiom

to treat someone or something very carefully to avoid upsetting or damaging them

The manager knew the artist was sensitive about her work, so he handled the criticism with kid gloves.

This antique vase is extremely fragile, so you must handle it with kid gloves.

an iron fist in a velvet glove

idiom

a person or policy that seems gentle and pleasant on the surface but is harsh and determined underneath

The general spoke calmly, but everyone knew he ruled with an iron fist in a velvet glove.

Her friendly smile hid a tough negotiator — an iron fist in a velvet glove.

fit (somebody) like a glove

idiom

To be exactly the right size and shape for someone.

Maya's new jeans fit her like a glove.

Does this jacket fit you like a glove?

hand in glove (with somebody)

idiom

Working very closely with someone, often in a secret or dishonest way.

The two companies worked hand in glove on the deal.

Is the mayor hand in glove with the developers?

handle/treat, etc. somebody with kid gloves

idiom

To treat someone very carefully to avoid upsetting or offending them.

Sara's boss treats her with kid gloves because she is new.

You need to handle him with kid gloves; he's very sensitive.

an iron fist/hand (in a velvet glove)

idiom

A way of behaving that is strict or severe but appears gentle or kind.

The principal rules with an iron fist in a velvet glove.

Her management style is an iron hand in a velvet glove.

glove — verb

Word family

  • gloved
    adjectiveB1
  • glove compartment
    nounB1
  • glovebox
    nounC1
  • glover
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe hand coverings, but they differ in construction and use. A glove has separate tubes for each finger, allowing the fingers to move independently — ideal for tasks that require dexterity, like driving or typing. A mitten has one section for all four fingers and a separate thumb section, offering more warmth because the fingers share body heat, but much less finger movement. A gauntlet is a long glove that extends well up the forearm, often made of heavy or metal-reinforced material for protection — historically part of a knight's armor, and today seen in welding or fencing gear. The word mitt is informal and can refer either to a short glove with the fingers exposed (like an oven mitt) or to a baseball glove. For everyday winter use, most people pick gloves for comfort or mittens for extra warmth. Example: 'She wore thin gloves to drive, but thick mittens to walk the dog.' 'The welder pulled on a leather gauntlet before lighting the torch.'

glove ↗mittengauntletmitt

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • pair of gloves
  • set of gloves

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word glove comes from Old English glōf, which literally meant 'covering for the hand.' It goes back to Proto-Germanic *galōfô, where ga- was a collective prefix and *lōfô meant 'hand' or 'palm.' The same Germanic root is distantly related to the now-obsolete English word loof (the palm of the hand) and to the word golf, whose early club handles were thought to resemble the shape of a gloved hand. The modern spelling glóf settled into glove by the Middle English period.