Cover

/ˈkʌvɚ/ adj, name, noun, verb

adj, name, noun, verb ·Top 500 ·Elementary level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A lid.
  • Grammar: cover is listed as adj, name, noun, verb.
  • Nearest alternatives: top, a la carte, abri, account for.
  • Useful contrasts: bare earth wire, bare surface, gapped performance.
  • Usage evidence: Will this cover the holiday expenses?

How to use "cover"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "cover" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "cover" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "cover" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "cover" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "cover" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "top" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "cover", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A lid. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations wordnet
  3. 3
    Area or situation which screens a person or thing from view. uncountable

    "The soldiers took cover behind a ruined building."

  4. 4
    the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it wordnet
  5. 5
    The front and back of a book, magazine, CD package, etc. countable, uncountable
Show 28 more definitions
  1. 6
    a false identity and background (especially one created for an undercover agent) wordnet
  2. 7
    The top sheet of a bed. countable, uncountable
  3. 8
    the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book wordnet
  4. 9
    A cloth or similar material, often fitted, placed over an item such as a car or sofa or food to protect it from dust, rain, insects, etc. when not being used. countable, uncountable
  5. 10
    bedding that keeps a person warm in bed wordnet
  6. 11
    A bag or packet. India, countable, uncountable
  7. 12
    a recording of a song that was first recorded or made popular by somebody else wordnet
  8. 13
    A cover charge. countable, uncountable

    "There's a $15 cover tonight."

  9. 14
    a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something wordnet
  10. 15
    A setting at a restaurant table or formal dinner. countable, uncountable

    "We need to set another cover for the Smith party."

  11. 16
    covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container) wordnet
  12. 17
    A new performance or rerecording of a previously recorded song; a cover version; a cover song. countable, uncountable
  13. 18
    a natural object that covers or envelops wordnet
  14. 19
    A fielding position on the off side, between point and mid off, about 30° forward of square; a fielder in this position. countable, uncountable

    "The captain signalled his best fielder from short leg to cover."

  15. 20
    a fixed charge by a restaurant or nightclub over and above the charge for food and drink wordnet
  16. 21
    A tarpaulin or other device used to cover the wicket during rain, to prevent it getting wet. countable, uncountable

    "The covers were put on just before lunch."

  17. 22
    The area of the stumps that is blocked by the batsman so as to defend the wicket. countable, uncountable
  18. 23
    A backup incase any player sustains injury during nets or midseries. Originally have to be declared part of squad before match. countable, uncountable

    "He was brought in as cover for wicketkeeper."

  19. 24
    A collection (or family) of subsets of a given set, whose union contains every element of said original set. countable, uncountable

    "The open intervals are a cover for the real numbers."

  20. 25
    An envelope complete with stamps and postmarks etc. countable, uncountable
  21. 26
    A solid object, including terrain, that provides protection from enemy fire. countable, uncountable
  22. 27
    In commercial law, a buyer’s purchase on the open market of goods similar or identical to the goods contracted for after a seller has breached a contract of sale by failure to deliver the goods contracted for. countable, uncountable
  23. 28
    An insurance contract; coverage by an insurance contract. countable, uncountable
  24. 29
    A persona maintained by a spy or undercover operative; cover story. countable, uncountable
  25. 30
    A swindler's confederate. countable, dated, uncountable
  26. 31
    The portion of a slate, tile, or shingle that is hidden by the overlap of the course above. countable, uncountable
  27. 32
    In a steam engine, the lap of a slide valve. countable, uncountable
  28. 33
    The distance between reinforcing steel and the exterior of concrete. countable, uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    To place something over or upon, as to conceal or protect. transitive

    "He covered the baby with a blanket."

  2. 2
    clothe, as if for protection from the elements wordnet
  3. 3
    To be over or upon, as to conceal or protect. transitive

    "The blanket covered the baby."

  4. 4
    sit on (eggs) wordnet
  5. 5
    To be upon all of, so as to completely conceal. transitive

    "Regular hexagons can cover the plane."

Show 45 more definitions
  1. 6
    protect by insurance wordnet
  2. 7
    To set upon all of, so as to completely conceal. transitive

    "You can cover the plane with regular hexagons."

  3. 8
    be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism wordnet
  4. 9
    To put on one's hat. dated, intransitive

    "All the while he held his hat in his hand; and even until he had given his answer, when he covered and bade us be."

  5. 10
    maintain a check on; especially by patrolling wordnet
  6. 11
    To invest (oneself with something); to bring upon (oneself). transitive

    "The heroic soldier covered himself with glory."

  7. 12
    act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression wordnet
  8. 13
    To have under one’s scope or purview.; To discuss thoroughly; to provide coverage of. transitive

    "The magazine covers such diverse topics as politics, news from the world of science, and the economy."

  9. 14
    hold within range of an aimed firearm wordnet
  10. 15
    To have under one’s scope or purview.; To deal with or include someone or something. transitive

    "Richard Morgan covers science for The Economist, The New York Times, Scientific American, and Wired."

  11. 16
    protect or defend (a position in a game) wordnet
  12. 17
    To have under one’s scope or purview.; To have as an assignment or responsibility. transitive

    "Can you cover the morning shift tomorrow? I'll give you off next Monday instead."

  13. 18
    be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game wordnet
  14. 19
    To have under one’s scope or purview.; To provide insurance coverage for. transitive

    "Does my policy cover accidental loss?"

  15. 20
    play a higher card than the one previously played wordnet
  16. 21
    To be enough money for. transitive

    "We've earned enough to cover most of our costs."

  17. 22
    form a cover over wordnet
  18. 23
    To supply with funds; to settle or pay the costs for; to foot the bill for. transitive

    "Dad, when I get to University, will I be covered?"

  19. 24
    provide with a covering or cause to be covered wordnet
  20. 25
    To act as a replacement. intransitive

    "I need to take off Tuesday. Can you cover for me?"

  21. 26
    put something on top of something else wordnet
  22. 27
    To air or run locally originated material in place of network material during an internal spot break in a syndicated program. transitive

    "I wish that popular afternoon show would let us cover some of their commercials – their national stuff can be so annoying."

  23. 28
    copulate with a female, used especially of horses wordnet
  24. 29
    To make a cover version of (a song that was originally recorded by another artist). transitive

    "I'm surprised that the band covered this Beatles song so well."

  25. 30
    cover as if with a shroud wordnet
  26. 31
    To protect, to guard.; To protect from attack in general, to guard. transitive

    "Pent up in Utica he vainly forms A poor Epitome of Roman Greatneſs, And, cover’d with Numidian Guards, directs A feeble Army, and an empty Senate, Remnants of mighty Battels fought in vain."

  27. 32
    travel across or pass over wordnet
  28. 33
    To protect, to guard.; To protect using an aimed firearm and the threat of firing; or to protect using continuous, heaving fire at or in the direction of the enemy so as to force the enemy to remain in cover; or to threaten using an aimed firearm. transitive
  29. 34
    spread over a surface to conceal or protect wordnet
  30. 35
    To protect, to guard.; To protect or control (a piece or square). transitive

    "In order to checkmate a king on the side of the board, the five squares adjacent to the king must all be covered."

  31. 36
    hide from view or knowledge wordnet
  32. 37
    To protect, to guard.; To defend (mark) a particular player or area. transitive
  33. 38
    be sufficient to meet, defray, or offset the charge or cost of wordnet
  34. 39
    To protect, to guard.; To provide an alibi for (someone); to provide excuses or apologia for (someone); to carry water for someone. transitive
  35. 40
    to take an action to protect against future problems wordnet
  36. 41
    To copulate with (said of certain male animals such as dogs and horses). transitive

    "I would like to have my bitch covered next spring."

  37. 42
    help out by taking someone's place and temporarily assuming their responsibilities wordnet
  38. 43
    To extend over a given period of time or range, to occupy, to stretch over a given area. transitive
  39. 44
    invest with a large or excessive amount of something wordnet
  40. 45
    To traverse or put behind a certain distance. transitive

    "November 22 — Owing to bad weather all machines flew at a height of 5,000 feet and covered the 90 miles in just 90 minutes . November 23 — During fourth lap ..."

  41. 46
    include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory wordnet
  42. 47
    To arrange plates, etc. on (a table) in preparation for a meal. ambitransitive, dated

    "[…] he told plaintiff he would cover the table, and furnish it the same as the one he was sitting at, and that he should be waited upon and served the same as those on the other side of the room."

  43. 48
    make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities wordnet
  44. 49
    provide for wordnet
  45. 50
    span an interval of distance, space or time wordnet
Adjective
  1. 1
    Of or pertaining to the front cover of a book or magazine. not-comparable
  2. 2
    Of, pertaining to, or consisting of cover versions. not-comparable
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname.
  2. 2
    A river in the Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire, England, which joins the River Ure; in full, the River Cover.

Synonyms

All synonyms
topa la carteabriaccount foraccoupleaccumulate

Antonyms

bare earth wirebare surfacegapped performanceoriginal musical piece

Example

"Will this cover the holiday expenses?"

Common questions

What does "cover" mean?

A lid.

What is a synonym for "cover"?

Common synonyms include: top, a la carte, abri, account for, accouple, accumulate.

How do you use "cover" in a sentence?

Will this cover the holiday expenses?

How do you pronounce "cover"?

Pronounced /ˈkʌvɚ/.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin con- Proto-Indo-European *h₁ep-der. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epsder. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epi Proto-Indo-European *h₂wer- Proto-Indo-European *-yeti Latin operiō Latin cooperiō Old French covrirbor. Middle English coveren English cover From Middle English coveren, borrowed from Old French covrir, cueuvrir (modern French couvrir), from Late Latin coperire, from Latin cooperiō (“I cover completely”), from co- (intensive prefix) + operiō (“I close, cover”). Displaced native Middle English thecchen and bethecchen (“to cover”) (from Old English þeccan, beþeccan (“to cover”)), Middle English helen, (over)helen, (for)helen (“to cover, conceal”) (from Old English helan (“to conceal, cover, hide”)), Middle English wrien, (be)wreon (“to cover”) (from Old English (be)wrēon (“to cover”)), Middle English hodren, hothren (“to cover up”) (from Low German hudren (“to cover up”)). According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the original sense of the verb and noun cover was “hide from view” as in its cognate covert. Except in the limited sense of “cover again”, the word recover is unrelated and is cognate with recuperate. Cognate with Spanish cubrir (“to cover”).

More for "cover"

Synonyms

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