cloth
gb/klˈɔθ/ us/klˈɔθ/
A2
English
~ 6300
anyag, szövet, törlőkendő, rongy, papság, klérus
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] buys [cloth] to make [something]
She chose a soft blue cloth for the curtains.
Puha kék anyagot választott a függönyökhöz.
The tailor spread the cloth on the table and began to cut the pattern.
A szabó kiterítette az anyagot az asztalra, és elkezdte kiszabni a szabásminta darabjait.
This jacket is made from a very fine wool cloth.
They import high‑quality cloth from Italy for their suits.
Learner examples
He bought some red cloth to make a dress.
Vett egy kis piros anyagot, hogy ruhát készítsen belőle.
The bag is made of strong cloth.
A táska erős anyagból készült.
We need more cloth to cover all the chairs.
This cloth feels warm and thick.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *a cloth* when they mean the material in general. Use *cloth* without *a* for the material (e.g., *This dress is made of soft cloth*, not *of a soft cloth*). They also confuse *cloth* (material) with *clothes* (things you wear).
Meaning
fabric material used to make things
Collocations
cotton cloth
|woollen cloth
|silk cloth
|roll of cloth
|piece of cloth
|heavy cloth
Synonyms
fabric (Slightly more general and technical; used in fashion, design, and industry as well as everyday speech.)
Antonyms
metal (A hard, rigid material, contrasted with soft, flexible cloth used for making garments and coverings.)
Themes
daily life
|shopping
|home
|clothing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Material like cotton or wool that is used to make clothes, bags, and other things.
A flexible material made by weaving, knitting, or otherwise joining fibers, used to make clothes, furniture coverings, and other items.
NOUN
A2
2
törlőkendő
B1
rongy
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] wipes [something] with a cloth
Wipe the table with a damp cloth before you set the plates down.
Töröld le az asztalt egy nedves törlőkendővel, mielőtt leteszed a tányérokat.
He used a soft cloth to polish the glasses.
Puha törlőkendővel fényesítette ki a poharakat.
Put a cold cloth on your forehead if you feel dizzy.
She cleaned the windows with a cloth and some soapy water.
Learner examples
She washed the car with a big cloth.
Egy nagy ronggyal mosta le az autót.
Use a dry cloth to clean the mirror.
Száraz törlőkendővel tisztítsd meg a tükröt.
I put a wet cloth on my face.
Please bring me a clean cloth from the kitchen.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *cloth* when they should say *clothes* (e.g., *I need new cloth* when they mean *I need new clothes*). They may also confuse *cloth* with *towel*; a towel is a special cloth mainly for drying the body.
Meaning
piece of fabric for wiping
Collocations
wet cloth
|clean cloth
|soft cloth
|dish cloth
|dusting cloth
|wipe with a cloth
Synonyms
rag (Often suggests an old or worn-out piece of cloth, sometimes dirtier or more casual than a regular cleaning cloth.)
Antonyms
sponge (A different type of cleaning tool made of porous material, contrasted with a flat piece of cloth.)
Themes
daily life
|home
|housework
|daily_life
|housing
Definition
A small piece of cloth that you use to clean, dry, or cover something.
A small piece of fabric used especially for wiping, cleaning, drying, or covering objects.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
[someone] joins the cloth
Several members of the cloth attended the memorial service.
A papság több tagja is részt vett a megemlékezésen.
He surprised his family by choosing the cloth over a career in law.
Meglepte a családját, amikor a jogi pálya helyett a papi hivatást választotta.
The scandal deeply embarrassed both the cloth and the wider community.
Throughout history, the cloth has held significant influence in local politics.
Learner examples
His father is a man of the cloth.
Az apja pap.
She did not want to join the cloth.
Nem akart a papság tagja lenni.
People in the cloth have special religious duties.
The cloth often works closely with the community.
Common mistake:
Learners may misunderstand *the cloth* as a literal piece of fabric instead of a formal way to talk about priests and ministers. The meaning is usually clear only from context and is most often seen with *the* (e.g., *the cloth*, *men of the cloth*).
Meaning
the Christian clergy as a group
Collocations
men of the cloth
|members of the cloth
|enter the cloth
|the sword and the cloth
Synonyms
clergy (The standard modern term; *the cloth* is more literary or formal and often slightly old‑fashioned.)
Antonyms
laity (Refers to ordinary believers who are not members of the clergy, the usual contrast to *the cloth* or *the clergy*.)
Themes
religion
|society
|relationships
Definition
Christian priests and ministers as a group, seen as their job or class in society.
The Christian clergy considered as a professional or social group, especially in contrast with non‑religious people.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cloth
IPA
GB/klˈɔθ/
US/klˈɔθ/
Syllables & stress
cloth (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (cloth)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: cloth
- Plural: cloth, cloths
Word family
Expressions
cut from the same cloth
1/kˈʌt fɹˈʌm ðə sˈeɪm klˈɔθ/
idiom
very similar in character
To be very similar to another person in character, behavior, or style.
Examples
- Those two brothers are really cut from the same cloth.
- All the candidates seemed to be cut from the same cloth, offering nearly identical policies.
of the cloth
1/əv ðə klˈɔθ/
idiom
formal
belonging to the clergy
Being a Christian priest or minister.
Examples
- Several men of the cloth spoke at the charity event.
- Although he is of the cloth, he often criticizes the church’s leadership.
out of whole cloth
1/ˈaʊt əv hˈoʊl klˈɔθ/
idiom
completely made up and untrue
Completely invented, with no truth or real facts behind it.
Examples
- The rumor about the merger was made up out of whole cloth.
- Her explanation sounded like it was created out of whole cloth, with no connection to what really happened.