English · Word Candidate

cloak

/kləʊk/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: cloaks · cloaking · cloaked

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A long outer garment worn over the shoulders covering the back; a cape, often with a hood.

Noun

Examples

‘It's rather like a beautiful Inverness cloak one has inherited. Much too good to hide away, so one wears it instead of an overcoat and pretends it's an amusing new fashion.’

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A blanket-like covering, often metaphorical.

Noun

Examples

Night hid her movements with its cloak of darkness.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To cover as with or like a cloak.

Verb

Examples

He would hold her, just hold her, while his hands soothed the bare skin of her arms and the delicate fabric that cloaked her shoulders and her back.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To cover up, hide or conceal.

Verb

Examples

It’s possible that some microbes don’t just take up residence in tumors but help them grow. They may cloak the tumor from the immune system, neutralize drugs or help tumors spread through the body.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “cloak” mean?

A long outer garment worn over the shoulders covering the back; a cape, often with a hood.

Is “cloak” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.