clothes

/kləʊðz/ (bre, ipa) · [klˈoðz] /kləʊðz/ (ame, ipa)

clothes — noun

1. items made from fabric that people put on their bodies — like tops, bottoms, coa

1.名詞A1
釋義

items made from fabric that people put on their bodies — like tops, bottoms, coats, and other garments — to keep warm, stay modest, or express their personal style.

例句

Ananya put on her warmest clothes before heading out into the snow.

put on + clothes (dressing action)

The charity shop accepts gently used clothes for people in need.

used clothes — collocation for second-hand items

同義詞
  • clothing

    more formal than clothes; used as an uncountable noun (clothing is...)

  • garment

    very formal; typically used in fashion or manufacturing contexts

  • attire

    formal; often refers to a particular style (formal attire, business attire)

反義詞
  • nakedness

    the state of wearing no clothes at all

文法句型

clothes + plural verb

put on / take off / wear + clothes

a piece/item of + clothes

用法筆記

Clothes is always plural in English. There is no singular form 'clothe.' To talk about one item, name the specific garment (shirt, skirt, etc.) or use a piece/item of clothing.

常見錯誤

❌I need to buy a new clothe.
✅I need to buy some new clothes.
💡clothes is always plural with no singular form.
❌The clothe is on the bed.
✅The clothes are on the bed.
💡clothes takes a plural verb.

2. the sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and other fabric items used on a bed.

2.名詞B2
釋義

the sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and other fabric items used on a bed.

例句

Hana stripped the bed and put the dirty clothes into the laundry basket.

strip the bed — typical verb for removing bedclothes

The hotel changes the bed clothes every morning for each new guest.

同義詞
  • bedding

    broader term that includes blankets, sheets, pillows, and mattress covers

  • linen

    often used in hotels; can also refer to tablecloths and towels

文法句型

clothes + plural verb

用法筆記

In this sense, bed clothes (often written as bedclothes or bed clothes) specifically refers to fabric bed linens, not the mattress or bed frame.

3. all the fabric household items that need to be washed or have just been washed,

3.名詞C1
釋義

all the fabric household items that need to be washed or have just been washed, including towels, sheets, and personal clothing.

例句

Lucia sorted the clothes into whites and colours before starting the washing machine.

sort the clothes into whites and colours — laundry sorting

The pile of dirty clothes in the bathroom keeps getting bigger every day.

同義詞
  • laundry

    the most common word for items that need washing; 'laundry' is uncountable

  • wash

    informal British usage: 'I've got a wash to do'

文法句型

the + clothes + plural verb

用法筆記

This sense is broader than sense 1 — it includes household linens (towels, sheets, tablecloths) in addition to personal garments. Common in household contexts and laundry instructions.