Cloak — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈklōk/

Meaning & Definition of Cloak

Cloak (noun)

  1. a loose outer garment
  2. something likened to an outer garment
  3. something that envelops or conceals

Cloak (verb)

  1. to cover or hide with or as if with a cloak

Cloak (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that covers or conceals like a piece of cloth

    "the cloak of mystery that surrounds the royal family"

    similar: blanket, cope, cover, covering, coverture, cover-up, curtain, hood, mantle, mask, pall, penumbra, robe, shroud, veil, wraps
    related: blind, concealer, screen, shield, fig leaf, Potemkin village, Trojan horse, camouflage, disguise, facade, face, veneer, gloss, varnish

  2. a sleeveless garment worn so as to hang over the shoulders, arms, and back

    "threw a cloak around his shoulders"

    similar: cape, capote, frock, manteau, mantle
    related: burnoose, capelet, capuchin, cowl, domino, joseph, manta, mantelet, mantilla, palatine, pelerine, pelisse, poncho, roquelaure, tippet, serape, shawl, stole, wrap

Cloak (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to change the dress or looks of so as to conceal true identity

    "the outlaw nation had cloaked its chemical weapons plant as a fertilizer factory"

    similar: camouflage, disguise, dress up, mask
    related: blanket, blot out, conceal, cover, curtain, enshroud, hide, obscure, occult, screen, shroud, veil, affect, assume, counterfeit, dissemble, dissimulate, feign, pose, pretend, sham, simulate, act, fake, impersonate, masquerade, play, cosmeticize, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash
    opposite: unmask
    near: display, exhibit, expose, flaunt, parade, show, uncloak, unclothe, uncover, undrape, unveil, bare, betray, disclose, discover, divulge, reveal

  2. to keep secret or shut off from view

    "cloaked their military maneuvers from the outside world"

    similar: belie, blanket, blot out, conceal, cover, curtain, disguise, enshroud, hide, mask, obscure, occult, paper over, screen, shroud, suppress, veil
    related: bury, camouflage, cover (up), smother, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, becloud, bedim, befog, block, cloud, darken, eclipse, obstruct, occlude, overcast, overshadow, shade
    opposite: bare, disclose, display, divulge, expose, reveal, show, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil
    near: bring out, present, clarify, illuminate, advertise, air, broadcast, get out, proclaim, publicize, publish, spread

Related Entry: Cloak-and-dagger (noun)

Cloak-and-dagger is a different word from Cloak. The synonyms below are for cloak-and-dagger, not for cloak.

  1. as in espionage, intelligence

    similar: counterespionage, counterintelligence, intelligence, bugging, eavesdropping, wiretapping, espionage, spying, observation, reconnaissance, surveillance, tradecraft, dope, goods, lowdown

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cloak

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cloak:

blanket, cope, cover, covering, coverture, cover-up, curtain, hood, mantle, mask, pall, penumbra, robe, shroud, veil, wraps, cape, capote, frock, manteau, camouflage, disguise, dress up, belie, blot out, conceal, enshroud, hide, obscure, occult, paper over, screen, suppress

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Cloak

Words with the opposite meaning of Cloak:

unmask, bare, disclose, display, divulge, expose, reveal, show, uncloak, uncover, unveil

Related Words for Cloak

blind, concealer, shield, fig leaf, Potemkin village, Trojan horse, facade, face, veneer, gloss, varnish, burnoose, capelet, capuchin, cowl, domino, joseph, manta, mantelet, mantilla, palatine, pelerine, pelisse, poncho, roquelaure, tippet, serape, shawl, stole, wrap

Near Antonyms of Cloak

exhibit, flaunt, parade, unclothe, undrape, betray, discover, bring out, present, clarify, illuminate, advertise, air, broadcast, get out, proclaim, publicize, publish, spread

Word Forms of Cloak

Inflections: cloaked, cloaking, cloaks

Origin & Etymology of Cloak

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

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Cloak

cloak-and-dagger, mourning cloak

Frequently Asked Questions about Cloak

What does "Cloak" mean?

"Cloak" means a loose outer garment. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a loose outer garment. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cloak"?

Other words for "Cloak" include blanket, cope, cover, covering, coverture, cover-up, curtain and hood. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cloak" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cloak"?

There are 97 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cloak". Common alternatives include blanket, cope, cover, covering, coverture, cover-up, curtain, hood, mantle and mask.

What is the opposite of "Cloak"?

Antonyms of "Cloak" include unmask, bare, disclose, display, divulge, expose, reveal and show. Near antonyms include exhibit, flaunt, parade and unclothe.

How do you use "Cloak" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cloak" in a sentence: "the cloak of mystery that surrounds the royal family"; "threw a cloak around his shoulders"; "the outlaw nation had cloaked its chemical weapons plant as a fertilizer factory".

Is "Cloak" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cloak" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Cloak"?

"Cloak" is pronounced /ˈklōk/.

What is the origin of the word "Cloak"?

"Cloak" comes from Middle English cloke, from Anglo-French cloque bell, cloak, from Medieval Latin clocca bell; from its shape. First known use: 13th century.