cowl
cowl — noun
- cowlsingular
- cowlsplural
1. a loose hooded piece worn over the hair that can fall onto the shoulders, often
a loose hooded piece worn over the hair that can fall onto the shoulders, often as part of a monk's robe
Haruto pulled the wool cowl over his ears before dawn prayers.
pull a cowl over + body part
Ayesha lowered her cowl when the monastery bell began to ring.
religious clothing in a monastery
The costume designer stitched a wider cowl onto the actor's robe.
a cowl attached to a robe
Snow slid off Christopher's leather cowl as he opened the gate.
- pull a cowl over your head
- lower a cowl
- a wool cowl
- a cowl attached to a robe
Grammar Patterns
pull a cowl over your head
lower a cowl
a cowl attached to a robe
Usage Note
This sense usually refers to a hood that is part of a robe or other loose garment, not just any hood on a modern jacket. It often appears in historical, religious, or costume contexts.
Common Mistakes
2. a metal hood set above a chimney so smoke rises better and strong gusts do not b
a metal hood set above a chimney so smoke rises better and strong gusts do not blow back down
Wei fitted a turning cowl on the chimney before the winter storms.
fit a cowl on a chimney
Smoke filled the kitchen after leaves jammed the chimney cowl.
blocked chimney cowl
The roofer replaced the rusted cowl above the bakery oven.
A stronger cowl helped the fireplace draw smoke out faster.
improve chimney draft
- chimney cowl
- turning cowl
- replace a cowl
- fit a cowl on a chimney
- chimney cap
a common plain-English term for the same top cover
- vent cover
broader and can refer to covers on many other kinds of openings
- draft cap
technical wording that stresses improving airflow
Grammar Patterns
fit a cowl on a chimney
replace a chimney cowl
a turning cowl
Usage Note
This sense belongs to building and heating contexts. Speakers often mention it when a chimney does not draw smoke well or when wind blows smoke back down.
Common Mistakes
3. a shaped outer cover around a vehicle engine or a light, used to protect the par
a shaped outer cover around a vehicle engine or a light, used to protect the parts underneath
Emre tightened the loose cowl above the motorcycle engine.
engine cowl
A crack in the plane's cowl exposed part of the engine.
aircraft engine cover
The mechanic removed the front cowl to reach the headlight wires.
remove the cowl for repair
Grease had collected inside the metal cowl around the lamp.
- engine cowl
- lamp cowl
- remove the cowl
- metal cowl
Grammar Patterns
engine cowl
remove the cowl
lamp cowl
Usage Note
This sense is mainly used for machines, vehicles, and equipment. It is more technical than simple words like cover or shell, and it often appears in repair or maintenance talk.
Common Mistakes
cowl — verb
- cowlpresent simple I / you / we / they
- cowls3rd person singular
- cowling-ing form
- cowledpast simple
1. to cover something with a hood-like layer so that it is partly hidden from sight
to cover something with a hood-like layer so that it is partly hidden from sight
Fog cowled the harbor until the first ferry horn sounded.
literary use with weather
Dark cloth cowled the statue before the museum reopened.
literal covering with cloth
The scarf cowled Joaquín's face against the blowing sand.
cowl + noun
Night cowled the hillside, and the path signs disappeared.
- fog cowled the harbor
- night cowled the hillside
- dark cloth cowled the statue
Grammar Patterns
cowl + noun
be cowled in + noun
Usage Note
This verb is rare and usually sounds literary. It most often describes fog, darkness, smoke, or cloth covering something from view rather than ordinary everyday covering.
Common Mistakes
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Cowl, hood, cloak, cape, and mantle all relate to coverings worn over the upper body, but they are not interchangeable. Hood is the everyday word for the part of a coat or sweatshirt that covers the head. Cowl is narrower: it suggests a loose hood, often attached to a robe and often heard in religious, historical, or costume settings. Cloak usually names the whole outer garment rather than only the part over the head. Cape hangs from the shoulders and may not cover the head at all. Mantle is more literary or ceremonial. A monk may lower a cowl, a child may pull up a hood, and an actor may wear a cloak or cape on stage.
Etymology
First known use
12th century
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb