COVER

Pronunciation (US):

• COVER (noun)
  The noun COVER has 10 senses:

1. a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something
2. bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
3. the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it
4. the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book
5. a natural object that covers or envelops
6. covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container)
7. fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations
8. a fixed charge by a restaurant or night club over and above the charge for food and drink
9. a recording of a song that was first recorded or made popular by somebody else
10. a false identity and background (especially one created for an undercover agent)

  Familiarity information: COVER used as a noun is familiar.

• COVER (verb)
  The verb COVER has 26 senses:

1. provide with a covering or cause to be covered
2. form a cover over
3. span an interval of distance, space or time
4. provide for
5. deal with verbally or in some form of artistic expression
6. include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory
7. travel across or pass over
8. be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism
9. hold within range of an aimed firearm
10. to take an action to protect against future problems
11. hide from view or knowledge
12. protect or defend (a position in a game)
13. maintain a check on; especially by patrolling
14. protect by insurance
15. make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities
16. invest with a large or excessive amount of something
17. help out by taking someone's place and temporarily assuming his responsibilities
18. be sufficient to meet, defray, or offset the charge or cost of
19. spread over a surface to conceal or protect
20. cover as if with a shroud
21. copulate with a female, used especially of horses
22. put something on top of something else
23. play a higher card than the one previously played
24. be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game
25. sit on (eggs)
26. clothe, as if for protection from the elements

  Familiarity information: COVER used as a verb is very familiar.

• COVER (noun)

Sense 1

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

A covering that serves to conceal or shelter something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

cover; concealment; covert; screen

Context examples:

they crouched behind the screen / under cover of darkness

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

covering (an artifact that covers something else (usually to protect or shelter or conceal it))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cover"):

blind (a hiding place sometimes used by hunters (especially duck hunters))

camouflage (device or stratagem for concealment or deceit)

shoji (a translucent screen made of a wooden frame covered with rice paper)

stalking-horse (screen consisting of a figure of a horse behind which a hunter hides while stalking game)

Sense 2

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

blanket; cover

Context example:

he pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

bed clothing; bedclothes; bedding (coverings that are used on a bed)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cover"):

security blanket (a blanket (or toy) that a child carries around in order to reduce anxiety)

manta (a blanket that is used as a cloak or shawl)

mackinaw; Mackinaw blanket (a thick plaid blanket formerly used in the northwestern United States)

electric blanket (a blanket containing and electric heating element that can be controlled to the desired temperature by a rheostat)

afghan (a blanket knitted or crocheted in strips or squares; sometimes used as a shawl)

Sense 3

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

The act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

masking; cover; covering; screening

Context example:

the cover concealed their guns from enemy aircraft

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

concealing; concealment; hiding (the activity of keeping something secret)

Sense 4

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

The protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

book binding; cover; binding; back

Context example:

the book had a leather binding

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

protection; protective cover; protective covering (a covering that is intend to protect from damage or injury)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cover"):

half binding (book binding in which the spine and part of the sides are bound in one material and the rest in another)

three-quarter binding (the spine and much of the sides are a different material from the rest of the cover)

Holonyms ("cover" is a part of...):

book; volume (physical objects consisting of a number of pages bound together)

Sense 5

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

A natural object that covers or envelops

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)

Synonyms:

covering; natural covering; cover

Context examples:

under a covering of dust / the fox was flushed from its cover

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

natural object (an object occurring naturally; not made by man)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cover"):

skim (a thin layer covering the surface of a liquid)

slough (any outer covering that can be shed or cast off (such as the cast-off skin of a snake))

snowcap (a covering of snow (as on a mountain peak))

vesture (something that covers or cloaks like a garment)

peridium (outer layer of the spore-bearing organ in many fungi)

pericarp; seed vessel (the ripened and variously modified walls of a plant ovary)

chlamys; floral envelope; perianth; perigone; perigonium (collective term for the outer parts of a flower consisting of the calyx and corolla and enclosing the stamens and pistils)

sac; theca (a case or sheath especially a pollen sac or moss capsule)

indusium (a membrane enclosing and protecting the developing spores especially that covering the sori of a fern)

bark (tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants)

eggshell; shell (the exterior covering of a bird's egg)

shell (a rigid covering that envelops an object)

scale (a flattened rigid plate forming part of the body covering of many animals)

shell (the hard largely calcareous covering of a mollusc)

test (a hard outer covering as of some amoebas and sea urchins)

body covering (any covering for the body or a body part)

case; sheath (an enveloping structure or covering enclosing an animal or plant organ or part)

integument (an outer protective covering such as the skin of an animal or a cuticle or seed coat or rind or shell)

blanket; mantle (anything that covers)

crust; encrustation; incrustation (a hard outer layer that covers something)

envelope (a natural covering (as by a fluid))

indument; indumentum (a covering of fine hairs (or sometimes scales) as on a leaf or insect)

Sense 6

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

cover; top

Context examples:

he removed the top of the carton / he couldn't get the top off of the bottle / put the cover back on the kettle

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

covering (an artifact that covers something else (usually to protect or shelter or conceal it))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cover"):

screwtop (the top of a container that must be screwed off and on)

manhole cover (a flush iron cover for a manhole (as in a street))

lid (a movable top or cover (hinged or separate) for closing the opening of a container)

cap (a top (as for a bottle))

Sense 7

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

covering fire; cover

Context example:

artillery provided covering fire for the withdrawal

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

fire; firing (the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy)

Sense 8

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

A fixed charge by a restaurant or night club over and above the charge for food and drink

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Synonyms:

cover charge; cover

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

fixed charge; fixed cost; fixed costs (a periodic charge that does not vary with business volume (as insurance or rent or mortgage payments etc.))

Sense 9

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

A recording of a song that was first recorded or made popular by somebody else

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

cover version; cover song; cover

Context example:

they made a cover of a Beatles' song

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

recording (a storage device on which information (sounds or images) have been recorded)

Sense 10

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

A false identity and background (especially one created for an undercover agent)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

her new name and passport are cover for her next assignment

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

concealing; concealment; hiding (the activity of keeping something secret)

• COVER (verb)

Sense 1

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Provide with a covering or cause to be covered

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context examples:

cover her face with a handkerchief / cover the child with a blanket / cover the grave with flowers

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

tile (cover with tiles)

lag (cover with lagging to prevent heat loss)

mask (put a mask on or cover with a mask)

block out; mask (shield from light)

mask (cover with a sauce)

blanket (cover as if with a blanket)

plaster; plaster over; stick on (apply a heavy coat to)

plaster (apply a plaster cast to)

sheet (cover with a sheet, as if by wrapping)

crown (put an enamel cover on)

aluminise; aluminize (cover with aluminum)

recover (cover anew)

hood (cover with a hood)

cowl (cover with or as with a cowl)

clapboard (cover with clapboards)

canopy (cover with a canopy)

bread (cover with bread crumbs)

blinker (put blinders on (a horse))

blindfold (cover the eyes of (someone) to prevent him from seeing)

paint (apply a liquid to; e.g., paint the gutters with linseed oil)

apply; put on (apply to a surface)

laminate (cover with a thin sheet)

gravel (cover with gravel)

lime (cover with lime so as to induce growth)

mound over (form mounds over)

straw (cover or provide with or as if with straw)

spread (cover by spreading something over)

drape (cover or dress loosely with cloth)

dust (cover with a light dusting of a substance)

beplaster; plaster (cover conspicuously or thickly, as by pasting something on)

grass (cover with grass)

blacklead (cover with graphite)

spray (cover by spraying with a liquid)

brush (cover by brushing)

frost; ice (decorate with frosting)

smother; surround (envelop completely)

enclose; enfold; envelop; enwrap; wrap (enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering)

sheathe (cover with a protective sheathing)

crape; crepe (cover or drape with crape)

concrete (cover with cement)

steel (cover, plate, or edge with steel)

flake (cover with flakes or as if with flakes)

frost (cover with frost)

bark (cover with bark)

coat; surface (put a coat on; cover the surface of; furnish with a surface)

butter (spread butter on)

lather (cover with soap)

paper; wallpaper (cover with wallpaper)

canvas (cover with canvas)

paper (cover with paper)

oil (cover with oil, as if by rubbing)

bedaub; besmear (spread or daub (a surface))

board up (cover with wooden boards)

frost (provide with a rough or speckled surface or appearance)

daub; smear (cover (a surface) by smearing (a substance) over it)

roof (provide a building with a roof; cover a building with a roof)

mulch (cover with mulch)

turf (cover (the ground) with a surface layer of grass or grass roots)

bank (cover with ashes so to control the rate of burning)

carpet (cover with a carpet)

carpet (cover completely, as if with a carpet)

wax (cover with wax)

veneer (cover with veneer)

grease (lubricate with grease)

foil (cover or back with foil)

white out; whiteout (cover up with a liquid correction fluid)

flash (protect by covering with a thin sheet of metal)

pall (cover with a pall)

sod (cover with sod)

bind (provide with a binding)

plank; plank over (cover with planks)

parcel (cover with strips of canvas)

jacket (provide with a thermally non-conducting cover)

hold (cover as for protection against noise or smell)

coif (cover with a coif)

wash (apply a thin coating of paint, metal, etc., to)

line (cover the interior of)

face (cover the front or surface of)

feather (cover or fit with feathers)

wrap; wrap up (arrange or fold as a cover or protection)

spritz (cover (a location) wholly or partially by squirting a liquid onto it)

felt (cover with felt)

paste (cover the surface of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

They cover the halls with holly

Antonym:

uncover (remove all or part of one's clothes to show one's body)

Sense 2

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Form a cover over

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

spread over; cover

Context example:

The grass covered the grave

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

adjoin; contact; meet; touch (be in direct physical contact with; make contact)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

mantle (cover like a mantle)

blanket (form a blanket-like cover (over))

carpet (form a carpet-like cover (over))

smother (form an impenetrable cover over)

shroud (form a cover like a shroud)

drown; overwhelm; submerge (cover completely or make imperceptible)

cake; coat (form a coat over)

grass; grass over (cover with grass)

flood (cover with liquid, usually water)

bloody (cover with blood)

mist; mist over (become covered with mist)

glaciate (cover with ice or snow or a glacier)

strew (cover; be dispersed over)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sentence example:

Holly flowers cover the halls

Sense 3

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Span an interval of distance, space or time

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

cover; extend; continue

Context examples:

The war extended over five years / The period covered the turn of the century / My land extends over the hills on the horizon / This farm covers some 200 acres / The Archipelago continues for another 500 miles

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

be (occupy a certain position or area; be somewhere)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

ridge (extend in ridges)

overspread; spread (spread across or over)

overlap (extend over and cover a part of)

sweep (cover the entire range of)

cross; span; sweep; traverse (to cover or extend over an area or time period)

constellate; dot; stud (scatter or intersperse like dots or studs)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 4

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Provide for

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Context example:

The grant doesn't cover my salary

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

fulfil; fulfill; live up to; satisfy (fulfil the requirements or expectations of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 5

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Deal with verbally or in some form of artistic expression

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

deal; plow; handle; treat; cover; address

Context examples:

This book deals with incest / The course covered all of Western Civilization / The new book treats the history of China

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

broach; initiate (bring up a topic for discussion)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

theologise; theologize (treat from a theological viewpoint or render theological in character)

discourse; discuss; talk about (to consider or examine in speech or writing)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sense 6

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

encompass; embrace; comprehend; cover

Context examples:

This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds / this should cover everyone in the group

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

include (have as a part, be made up out of)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 7

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Travel across or pass over

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

traverse; cross; cut across; cut through; get over; pass over; get across; track; cover

Context example:

The caravan covered almost 100 miles each day

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

go across; go through; pass (go across or through)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

jaywalk (cross the road at a red light)

drive; take (proceed along in a vehicle)

course (move swiftly through or over)

hop (make a quick trip especially by air)

bridge (cross over on a bridge)

ford (cross a river where it's shallow)

crisscross (cross in a pattern, often random)

walk (traverse or cover by walking)

stride (cover or traverse by taking long steps)

tramp (cross on foot)

Sentence frames:

Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s PP

Sense 8

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

report; cover

Context examples:

Snow reported on China in the 1950's / The cub reporter covered New York City

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

inform (impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

They won't cover the story

Sense 9

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Hold within range of an aimed firearm

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

protect (shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 10

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

To take an action to protect against future problems

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

Count the cash in the drawer twice just to cover yourself

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

protect (shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 11

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Hide from view or knowledge

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Synonyms:

cover up; cover

Context example:

The President covered the fact that he bugged the offices in the White House

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

conceal; hide (prevent from being seen or discovered)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

gloss over; hush up; sleek over; whitewash (cover up a misdemeanor, fault, or error)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 12

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Protect or defend (a position in a game)

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

he covered left field

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

protect (shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

double-team (cover with two defensive players)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 13

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Maintain a check on; especially by patrolling

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Context example:

The second officer covered the top floor

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

ascertain; assure; check; control; ensure; insure; see; see to it (be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 14

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Protect by insurance

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

underwrite; insure; cover

Context example:

The insurance won't cover this

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

guarantee; warrant (stand behind and guarantee the quality, accuracy, or condition of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

indemnify (secure against future loss, damage, or liability; give security for)

reinsure (insure again by assuming all or a part of the liability of an insurance company already covering a risk)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sense 15

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

overcompensate; compensate; cover

Context example:

he is compensating for being a bad father

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

compensate; correct; counterbalance; even off; even out; even up; make up (adjust for)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 16

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Invest with a large or excessive amount of something

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

She covered herself with glory

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

empower; endow; endue; gift; indue; invest (give qualities or abilities to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody PP
Somebody ----s something PP

Sense 17

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Help out by taking someone's place and temporarily assuming his responsibilities

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

She is covering for our secretary who is ill this week

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

deputise; deputize; step in; substitute (act as a substitute)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sense 18

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Be sufficient to meet, defray, or offset the charge or cost of

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Context example:

Is this enough to cover the check?

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

be (have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sense 19

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Spread over a surface to conceal or protect

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Context example:

This paint covers well

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

conceal; hide (prevent from being seen or discovered)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 20

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Cover as if with a shroud

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

shroud; enshroud; hide; cover

Context example:

The origins of this civilization are shrouded in mystery

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

enclose; enfold; envelop; enwrap; wrap (enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Sense 21

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Copulate with a female, used especially of horses

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

breed; cover

Context example:

The horse covers the mare

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

copulate; couple; mate; pair (make love)

Domain category:

animal husbandry (breeding and caring for farm animals)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 22

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Put something on top of something else

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

overlay; cover

Context example:

cover the meat with a lot of gravy

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

splash (mark or overlay with patches of contrasting color or texture; cause to appear splashed or spattered)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 23

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Play a higher card than the one previously played

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

Smith covered again

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

play (put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game)

Domain category:

card game; cards (a game played with playing cards)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 24

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

protect (shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 25

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Sit on (eggs)

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

incubate; hatch; brood; cover

Context examples:

Birds brood / The female covers the eggs

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

multiply; procreate; reproduce (have offspring or young)

"Cover" entails doing...:

sit; sit down (take a seat)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 26

cover [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Clothe, as if for protection from the elements

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

wrap up; cover

Context example:

cover your head!

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

apparel; clothe; dress; enclothe; fit out; garb; garment; habilitate; raiment; tog (provide with clothes or put clothes on)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something