cloak

1 of 2

noun

ˈklōk How to pronounce cloak (audio)
Synonyms of cloaknext
1
: a loose outer garment
2
: something likened to an outer garment: such as
a
: something that envelops or conceals
a cloak of secrecy
b
: a distinctive character or role
hung up his academic cloak … to become a stay-at-home father—Charles Chamberlain

cloak

2 of 2

verb

cloaked; cloaking; cloaks

transitive verb

: to cover or hide with or as if with a cloak

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for cloak

disguise, cloak, mask mean to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or true nature.

disguise implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a different apparent identity.

disguised herself as a peasant

cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention.

cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy

mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something.

smiling to mask his discontent

Examples of cloak in a Sentence

Noun Their plans were shrouded in a cloak of secrecy. the cloak of mystery that surrounds the royal family Verb the outlaw nation had cloaked its chemical weapons plant as a fertilizer factory cloaked their military maneuvers from the outside world
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Meanwhile, Lisa’s nude Mugler dress draped over her head like a cloak. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2024 The sapphic pop star arrived at the VMAs in a billowing floor length black dress and velvety green cloak, complete with a cross necklace. —Quispe López, Them, 11 Sep. 2024
Verb
Beneath this content lies an implicit suggestion that our faces must be sculpted and painted in a very particular way in order to be uniformly attractive (usually based on Eurocentric beauty standards cloaked as a hyper-symmetrical science). —Maria Santa Poggi, Allure, 4 Nov. 2024 Breguet is adept at cloaking complexity in beautiful simplicity, and this skill is what makes their delicate formal watches with complications so special. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cloak 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English cloke, from Anglo-French cloque bell, cloak, from Medieval Latin clocca bell; from its shape

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1509, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cloak was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing cloak

Dictionary Entries Near cloak

cloacinal

cloak

cloak-and-dagger

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Cloak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cloak. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

cloak

1 of 2 noun
ˈklōk How to pronounce cloak (audio)
1
: a long loose outer garment
2
: something that conceals or covers
a cloak of secrecy surrounded the talks

cloak

2 of 2 verb
: to cover or hide with a cloak
Etymology

Noun

Middle English cloke "cloak," from early French cloque "cloak, bell"; so named because a cloak resembled a bell in shape — related to clock

More from Merriam-Webster on cloak

Nglish: Translation of cloak for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of cloak for Arabic Speakers

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