cloth ‧ ing /ˈkləʊðɪŋ $ ˈkloʊ-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ clothes , ↑ clothing ; verb : ↑ clothe ; adjective : clothed ≠ ↑ unclothed ]
the clothes that people wear:
basic necessities such as food and clothing
She took only a few items of clothing.
⇨ a change of clothing at ↑ change 2 (6)
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COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + clothing
▪ warm clothing
The flood victims need shelter and warm clothing.
▪ light clothing (=made from thin materials)
You’ll only need light clothing during the day.
▪ outdoor clothing
The shop sells ski-wear and other outdoor clothing.
▪ protective clothing
Laboratory technicians have to wear special protective clothing.
▪ waterproof clothing
Always take a map, a compass, and waterproof clothing.
▪ outer clothing (=that you wear over other clothes)
The men were hastily pulling on some outer clothing.
▪ designer clothing (=made by a well-known designer)
▪ sports clothing
▪ winter/summer clothing
■ phrases
▪ a piece of clothing
There were pieces of clothing scattered around the room.
▪ an item/article of clothing formal (=a piece of clothing)
All items of clothing should be clearly labelled.
▪ a layer of clothing
In very cold weather it’s good to wear several layers of clothing.
■ NOUN + clothing
▪ the clothing industry
There are plenty of job opportunities in the clothing industry.
▪ a clothing manufacturer
a large clothing manufacturer
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THESAURUS
▪ clothes noun [plural] things you wear to cover your body or keep you warm. Clothes is always plural:
I like your clothes!
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Don’t throw your dirty clothes on the floor!
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a clothes shop
▪ clothing noun [uncountable] used when talking in general about a type of clothes, or about making or selling clothes. Also used in the phrase a piece/item/article of clothing (=one of the things that someone wears) :
You’ll need to take some warm clothing.
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It is important to wear protective clothing at all times.
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a clothing manufacturer
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a clothing retailer
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Police found a piece of clothing in the bushes.
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I took a change of clothing with me.
▪ garment noun [countable] formal one thing that you wear. Also used when talking about buying and selling clothes:
a long velvet garment
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the garment industry
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garment workers
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garment factories
▪ dress noun [uncountable] a particular style of clothes. Don’t use dress on its own:
Casual dress is not appropriate for an interview.
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men in evening dress
▪ wear noun [uncountable] used about types of clothes sold in a shop, in the following phrases. Don’t use wear on its own:
children’s wear
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sports wear
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casual wear
▪ gear noun [uncountable] /ɡɪə $ ɡɪr/ informal clothes for a particular sport or activity:
She was wearing her running gear.
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Have you got all your gear?
▪ wardrobe noun [singular] all the clothes that you own, or all the clothes that you wear at a particular time of year:
Her wardrobe consisted mainly of smart clothes for work.
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I will need a new summer weardrobe.
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You could win a complete new wardrobe!