How Do You Spell CLOTHES?

Pronunciation: [klˈə͡ʊðz] (IPA)

The word "clothes" is spelled with a silent "th" and pronounced as /kloʊz/. The "th" combination comes from Old English, where it was pronounced as a dental fricative sound, like in the word "bath". Over time, the sound evolved into a voiced dental fricative (/ð/) in some dialects, like in the word "feather", but it remained unvoiced (/θ/) in others, like in "clothes". This spelling rule can be confusing for English learners, but it's important to remember to include both the "th" and "s" sounds when pronouncing the word.

CLOTHES Meaning and Definition

  1. Clothes, in the context of human use, refer to the garments or articles typically worn on the body to provide protection, modesty, and adornment. These items are usually made from various materials, such as fabric, leather, or synthetic fibers, and are designed to fit different body shapes and sizes.

    Clothes can be categorized into different types, including tops (such as shirts, blouses, and sweaters), bottoms (such as pants, skirts, and shorts), outerwear (such as coats, jackets, and cardigans), and undergarments (such as bras, underwear, and socks). Additionally, clothes encompass accessories like hats, scarves, gloves, belts, and jewelry, which are worn to complement and enhance one's attire.

    The purpose of clothes is multifaceted. Primarily, they serve to protect the body from environmental elements, such as extreme temperatures, sunlight, or physical harm. Clothes also fulfill cultural and societal norms, as they can reflect personal style, social status, and individual expression. Furthermore, they contribute to social conventions and expectations regarding modesty and appropriateness in various settings, including work, religious institutions, or special events.

    Throughout history, clothes have evolved significantly, influenced by cultural, technological, and fashion trends. The design, manufacture, and sale of clothes have become a prominent industry worldwide, encompassing numerous designers, brands, and retailers. People often buy clothes for functional purposes, fashion preferences, or to conform to specific dress codes.

    Overall, clothes are integral to human civilization, representing not just a basic necessity but a means of self-presentation, protection, and conformity to social norms.

  2. Garments or dress for the body; bedclothes, coverings of a bed.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for CLOTHES *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for CLOTHES

Etymology of CLOTHES

The word "clothes" has an interesting etymology. It can be traced back to the Old English word "clāþas", which can be further traced to the Proto-Germanic word "klaiþō". This Proto-Germanic word shares its origins with the Old Norse word "klæði" and the Old Frisian word "klāth". All of these words essentially mean "cloth" or "garment". The word "clothes" reached its current form through various historical developments, and it has been used to refer to garments or items of clothing since the Middle English period.

Idioms with the word CLOTHES

  • Sundaygotomeeting clothes The idiom "Sundaygotomeeting clothes" refers to attire that is formal, professional, or dressy, specifically reserved for important occasions or events such as meetings, presentations, or interviews. It implies dressing up in one's best clothes to make a good impression or to be taken seriously.
  • Clothes make the man. The phrase "Clothes make the man" is an idiom that means a person's appearance and choice of clothing are important in shaping others' perception of their character, abilities, or social status. It suggests that one's outer appearance can influence how they are perceived and treated by others.
  • the emperor's new clothes The idiom "the emperor's new clothes" refers to a situation where someone believes or pretends to believe in something that is obviously false, usually due to peer pressure, fear of being criticized, or a desire to fit in. It comes from the famous fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen, where the emperor in the story is convinced by swindlers that they have made him a suit of clothes that only the wise can see, when in reality, they have created nothing. In the story, everyone around the emperor, including himself, pretends to see the clothes to avoid being seen as foolish, until a child points out that the emperor is actually naked. Therefore, the idiom is often used to criticize situations where people blindly accept or
  • swaddling clothes The idiom "swaddling clothes" refers to the traditional practice of wrapping an infant tightly in long, narrow strips of cloth for warmth, security, and comfort. Figuratively, it is used to represent something that is new, delicate, and in need of protection, often referring to a person or an idea at its earliest stages or a vulnerable and fragile state.
  • Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes The idiom "Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes" refers to one's best or most formal attire, typically worn to attend religious services or other special occasions like weddings or funerals.
  • steal someone's clothes The idiom "steal someone's clothes" typically means to imitate or mimic someone's behavior, style, or mannerisms in order to gain advantage or attention. It figuratively suggests taking someone's identity or attributes and using them for personal benefit.
  • clothes don't make the man The idiom "clothes don't make the man" means that a person's worth or character is not determined by their appearance or outward appearance alone. It suggests that clothing or superficial attributes are not accurate indicators of a person's true qualities, talents, or character. In essence, it highlights the belief that one's inner qualities and actions are more important than their external presentation.
  • the emperor has no clothes The idiom "the emperor has no clothes" is typically used to describe a situation in which someone or something is portrayed as powerful, important, or impressive, but is actually devoid of substance, value, or merit. It often implies that others are unwilling or afraid to point out the obvious truth or shortcomings.
  • not have a stitch of clothes (on) The idiom "not have a stitch of clothes (on)" means to be completely naked or without any clothing whatsoever. It implies being bare or exposed, often used to describe a state of being vulnerable or caught off guard.

Similar spelling words for CLOTHES

Plural form of CLOTHES is CLOTHES

Conjugate verb Clothes

CONDITIONAL

I would clothe
we would clothe
you would clothe
he/she/it would clothe
they would clothe

FUTURE

I will clothe
we will clothe
you will clothe
he/she/it will clothe
they will clothe

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have clothed
we will have clothed
you will have clothed
he/she/it will have clothed
they will have clothed

PAST

I clothed
we clothed
you clothed
he/she/it clothed
they clothed

PAST PERFECT

I had clothed
we had clothed
you had clothed
he/she/it had clothed
they had clothed

PRESENT

I clothe
we clothe
you clothe
he/she/it clothes
they clothe

PRESENT PERFECT

I have clothed
we have clothed
you have clothed
he/she/it has clothed
they have clothed
I am clothing
we are clothing
you are clothing
he/she/it is clothing
they are clothing
I was clothing
we were clothing
you were clothing
he/she/it was clothing
they were clothing
I will be clothing
we will be clothing
you will be clothing
he/she/it will be clothing
they will be clothing
I have been clothing
we have been clothing
you have been clothing
he/she/it has been clothing
they have been clothing
I had been clothing
we had been clothing
you had been clothing
he/she/it had been clothing
they had been clothing
I will have been clothing
we will have been clothing
you will have been clothing
he/she/it will have been clothing
they will have been clothing
I would have clothed
we would have clothed
you would have clothed
he/she/it would have clothed
they would have clothed
I would be clothing
we would be clothing
you would be clothing
he/she/it would be clothing
they would be clothing
I would have been clothing
we would have been clothing
you would have been clothing
he/she/it would have been clothing
they would have been clothing

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