cover
gb/kˈʌvɚ/ us/kˈʌvɚ/
A2
English
~ 1700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Put something over for protection or concealment
To put something on or over something to keep it safe or hidden.
Usage pattern:
to cover [something] with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'cover' with 'hide'. 'Hide' means to place something out of sight, while 'cover' means to put something on top or around it.
Synonyms
protect (Focuses more on keeping something safe rather than hiding it.)
Antonyms
uncover (Means to remove a cover or reveal something.)
Collocations
cover a pot
|cover a wound
|cover the table
Themes
daily life
|objects
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She covered the cake with a glass lid.
- Please cover the plants before the frost comes.
- He covered the hole with a piece of cardboard.
Learner examples
- I cover my food with a plate.
- Please cover the box with paper.
- She covers her head with a hat.
Verb
B1
action
2
Deal with or report on a topic or event
To talk about, write about, or show information about something.
Usage pattern:
to cover [a topic/event/area]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with physical covering. Here it is about including or reporting information.
Synonyms
report on (Specifically used in journalism contexts.)
Antonyms
ignore (Means to deliberately not deal with or report on something.)
Collocations
cover the news
|cover a story
|cover all aspects
Themes
media
|communication
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The journalist will cover the election.
- The course covers basic grammar and vocabulary.
- This insurance policy covers accidental damage.
Learner examples
- The teacher covers many topics in class.
- The news covers the big game.
- This book covers the history of the city.
Noun
A2
entity
3
Something placed over for protection or concealment
Something you put over something to keep it safe, hidden, or nice-looking.
Synonyms
lid (A rigid top for a container; more specific than 'cover'.)
Antonyms
opening (An exposed part without any protective covering.)
Collocations
bed cover
|phone cover
|dust cover
Themes
objects
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The sofa had a protective cover.
- I bought a new cover for my phone.
- The pot's cover was missing.
Learner examples
- I put a cover on my bed.
- My phone has a red cover.
- The book has a blue cover.
Verb
B1
action
4
Travel over a distance or area
To go across or reach an area or space.
Usage pattern:
to cover [distance/area]
Synonyms
cross (Focuses on going from one side to another; not always about total area.)
Antonyms
miss (Fail to reach or include an area.)
Collocations
cover 10 miles
|cover the whole country
|cover a route
Themes
travel
|geography
|transportation
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We covered 200 kilometers in one day.
- The tour will cover five cities.
- The carpet covers the entire floor.
Learner examples
- We covered 5 miles today.
- The snow covers the ground.
- The bus covers this route every day.
Verb
B1
action
5
Pay for the cost of something
To give money to pay for something.
Usage pattern:
to cover [the cost/expenses/bill]
Synonyms
pay for (Everyday term for giving money to buy or settle; less formal than 'cover' in some contexts.)
Antonyms
owe (To have an unpaid debt instead of paying it off.)
Collocations
cover the bill
|cover expenses
|cover costs
Themes
money
|business
|finance
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I'll cover the check this time.
- The grant will cover tuition fees.
- Can you cover my expenses for the trip?
Learner examples
- I will cover your lunch today.
- The company covers travel costs.
- She covered the bill at dinner.
Verb
B1
action
6
Stand in for someone temporarily
To do someone's work when they are not there.
Usage pattern:
to cover for [someone]
Synonyms
substitute for (More formal; implies filling in for someone in various contexts.)
Antonyms
abandon (Leave duties undone instead of taking them over.)
Collocations
cover a shift
|cover for a colleague
Themes
work
|help
|relationships
Examples
- Can you cover for me while I’m at lunch?
- She covered his shift last night.
- I’ll cover for you during your vacation.
Learner examples
- I will cover for you when you are sick.
- She covered my class yesterday.
- He covers for me when I am away.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cover
IPA
GB/kˈʌvɚ/
US/kˈʌvɚ/
Syllables & stress
cov - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cov)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: cover
- Plural: cover, covers
Verb
- Base: cover
- 3rd Person Singular: covers
- Present Participle: covering
- Past: covered
Word family
Expressions
cover all bases
1/kˈʌvɚ ˈɔl bˈeɪsɪz/
idiom
Prepare for all possibilities or outcomes
To be ready for every possible problem or situation.
Examples
- We need to cover all bases before launching the product.
- She covered all bases by checking every detail.
cover one's tracks
1/kˈʌvɚ wˈʌnz tɹˈæks/
idiom
Hide evidence of actions done
To hide signs of what you did so no one knows.
Examples
- He covered his tracks by deleting the files.
- They covered their tracks after the theft.
cover up
1/kˈʌvɚ ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Hide wrongdoing from being known
To hide the truth about something bad that happened.
Examples
- They tried to cover up the scandal.
- He covered up his mistake at work.
take cover
1/tˈeɪk kˈʌvɚ/
fixed phrase
Find shelter from danger or attack
To move to a safe place because there is danger nearby.
Examples
- We took cover when the shooting started.
- Take cover! There's a storm coming.
under cover
1/ˈʌndɚ kˈʌvɚ/
fixed phrase
Disguised identity for secret work
Working secretly so people do not know who you really are.
Examples
- The agent was working under cover for two years.
- He went under cover to catch the criminals.