tablecloth
gb/tˈeɪbəlklˌɔθ/ us/tˈeɪbəlklˌɔθ/
A2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Cloth covering a table
A piece of cloth that covers a table.
Usage pattern:
[a/an] [material/color] tablecloth; put/lay/spread a tablecloth on [a table]
Common mistake:
Often written as two words (*table cloth*); in standard English it is usually one word: tablecloth.
Synonyms
table cover (More general; can be any kind of cover, not necessarily cloth.)
|
table linen (Often refers to a set of cloth items for a table (tablecloths, napkins), and can sound slightly formal.)
Collocations
white tablecloth
|linen tablecloth
|lace tablecloth
|plastic tablecloth
|stain-resistant tablecloth
|tablecloth and napkins
|tablecloth set
|embroidered tablecloth
|tablecloth corners
|tablecloth clips
Themes
daily_life
|home
|dining
|food
Examples
- She spread a white tablecloth over the dining table for the party.
- Wipe the spill quickly so it doesn’t stain the tablecloth.
- We use a plastic tablecloth outside because it’s easy to clean.
Learner examples
- I bought a new tablecloth.
- Please put the tablecloth on the table.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tablecloth
IPA
GB/tˈeɪbəlklˌɔθ/
US/tˈeɪbəlklˌɔθ/
Syllables & stress
table - cloth (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (table)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tablecloth
- Plural: tablecloths
Expressions
the tablecloth trick
1/ðə tˈeɪbəlklˌɔθ tɹˈɪk/
fixed phrase
Pulling cloth without moving items
A trick where you pull the tablecloth fast and the plates stay on the table.
Examples
- The magician performed the tablecloth trick and the glasses barely moved.
- He tried the tablecloth trick at home and broke two plates.
- Videos of the tablecloth trick often show slow-motion replays.
white-tablecloth restaurant
1/wˈaɪt tˈeɪbəlklˌɔθ ɹˈɛstɚˌɑnt/
fixed phrase
Upscale, formal restaurant
A very nice, expensive restaurant.
Examples
- They celebrated their anniversary at a white-tablecloth restaurant downtown.
- He prefers small cafés to white-tablecloth restaurants.
- The guide recommends one white-tablecloth restaurant and several cheaper options.