cover

KUV-ur/ˈkʌvɚ/SayKUV-uhUK/ˈkʌvə//ˈkɐvə/

Verbcovers, covering, covered

Noun pluralcovers

41 meanings of cover

Practice

1
spread oververbtransitive
To put something over or lie over something so as to hide or protect it.
A heavy tarp covered the woodpile and kept the logs dry all winter.
Loose boards cover the well to stop anyone falling in.
UsageFor the material, use with or in: cover a pot with a lid, boots covered in mud.
Similarblanket, shroud
Oppositeuncover, expose, reveal, bare
Note
The construction suits rooms and bodies alike. Marie Belloc Lowndes's The Lodger (1913) has an Axminster carpet that covered the floor, and American Scientist (2013) writes of the pia mater covering the cerebral cortex.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
Marie Belloc Lowndes wrote The Lodger, first published as a novel in 1913. openlibrary.org
The Lodger describes an Axminster carpet covering the floor. gutenberg.org
The American Scientist article cited was published in 2013. en.wiktionary.org
The article describes the pia mater covering the cerebral cortex. americanscientist.org
2
includeverbtransitive
To deal with or include someone or something within a larger scope.
The new policy covers all employees, including part-time staff.
These rules cover every member of the club.
Similarinclude, encompass, embrace
Oppositeexclude
3
discuss fullyverbtransitive
To discuss something thoroughly, or to report on it as a news story.
Her article covers the history of the canal in remarkable depth.
Several networks cover the election results live.
Similarreport, discuss, examine, address, treat
Note
A publication covers what it treats regularly and at length: a magazine covers politics, science and the economy. Writers use the same verb for their field, so a journalist covers science for several outlets. Broadcasters cover events live. All of these come from the idea of having something within one's scope, the same idea that gives the insurance verb.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact
The publication, reporting and insurance senses share the broader idea of having something within one's scope. en.wiktionary.org
4
stretch acrossverbtransitive
To extend across an area or range, or to stretch over a given period of time.
Her old diaries cover nearly ten years of life on the family farm.
Their grazing lands cover everything from the river to the ridge.
Similarspan, encompass, include, embrace
5
outside (book)nouncountable or uncountable
The front and back outer parts of a book, magazine, or similar package.
The novel's cover featured a moody photograph of the coast.
He judged the album by its cover and bought it on sight.
UsagePictures and titles are on the cover. Read a book from cover to cover means read all of it.
Similarjacket, sleeve, binding
6
pay forverbtransitive
To pay for something, or to be enough money to pay for it.
The company covers travel expenses for all staff.
He offered to cover the repair costs himself.
UsageCommon in cover the cost of and cover expenses. The subject can be the money: the grant covers tuition.
Similarpay, fund, finance, meet
7
another's songnouncountable or uncountable
A new performance or recording of a song that was originally recorded by another artist.
His acoustic cover of the rock anthem went viral overnight.
The album closes with a soulful cover of a 1960s classic.
UsageUsually followed by of and the song: a cover of a 1960s classic.
Similarversion, rendition, remake
8
redo a songverbtransitive
To record or perform a new version of a song that was originally released by another artist.
Her trio covered a forgotten jazz standard for the encore.
Tribute groups cover entire albums note for note.
UsageCompare the verb cover a song with the noun a cover of a song.
9
insurance paysverbtransitive
Of an insurance policy, to include a particular loss or risk so that its costs will be paid.
Their homeowner's policy covers flood damage up to a set limit.
Make sure the plan will cover prescription drugs.
UsageOften passive, with the person as subject: are you covered for theft?
Similarinclude, insure
Oppositeexclude
10
lidnouncountable or uncountable
Something placed over or around an object to close or protect it, such as a lid, a fitted cloth, or a case.
She lifted the cover off the saucepan to check the rice.
The kettle's cover had warped and no longer sat flush.
Similarlid, top, case, cap, casing
11
shelternoununcountable
Shelter or concealment; something that hides a person or thing or protects them from attack.
Under cover of fog, the boat slipped out of the harbor.
The spy used the crowd as cover to avoid being spotted.
UsageCommon in take cover, run for cover and under cover of darkness.
Similarshelter, concealment, protection, camouflage, shield
12
travel (distance)verbtransitive
To travel across or put behind a particular distance over the course of a journey.
The convoy covered the last stretch of desert by nightfall.
Migrating geese cover thousands of miles each autumn.
Similartravel, traverse, cross
Note
The traveler's verb for distance pairs naturally with a time phrase: covered the 90 miles in just 90 minutes, as Aerial Age put it in 1915. Robert K. Krick's Parker's Virginia Battery (1975) uses the same frame for a battery that covered better than 840 miles in a little over seven days. When the time phrase is there, the point is usually speed.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
The book was first published in 1975; 1989 is the second edition. en.wikipedia.org
The book uses covered for more than 840 miles traveled in slightly more than seven days. en.wiktionary.org
13
front of magazineadjective
Relating to or appearing on the front of a book or magazine.
Editors argued for hours over the cover photo.
Her debut novel earned a glowing cover blurb from a famous author.
UsageGoes before a noun: cover photo, cover story, cover blurb.
14
place settingnouncountable or uncountable
A place set for one diner at a restaurant table or at a formal dinner.
The host asked the staff to lay a cover for the ambassador at the head table.
By six o'clock the staff had set out covers for ninety guests in the main dining room.
UsageUsually lay or set a cover.
Similarplace
Note
Each cover belongs to one diner, so a party of four needs four of them. The verbs it takes are lay and set, and the usage is not new: in the American novelist Winston Churchill's The Celebrity (1897), "there was generally a cover laid for him" marks a friend who could usually count on a place at dinner. Used as a verb, to cover a table means to lay out all its places at once.

Less common meanings

15
stand inverbintransitive
To take over another person's duties or role temporarily while they are away.
Like an understudy who steps onto the stage when the lead actor falls ill.
While Maria is on vacation, Ben will cover for her at the front desk.
He covered at the front desk until the receptionist returned.
UsageTakes for before the absent person: can you cover for me on Tuesday? It can also mean lying to protect someone.
Similarsubstitute, deputize
16
beddingnouncountable or uncountable
The layer of cloth or bedding spread over the top of a bed.
The child kicked the cover off in the middle of the night.
A light cover is enough on warm summer evenings.
UsageOften plural: under the covers, pull the covers up.
Similarblanket, bedspread, coverlet, quilt
17
defend (sport)verbtransitive
To guard a particular opposing player or area of the field to prevent them from scoring.
The center back covered the far post on every corner.
Quick guards cover the perimeter against three-point shooters.
Similarmark, guard, defend
Note
Sport turns guarding into an assignment, and mark is its close equivalent. The object can be a person or a space: you can cover the striker or cover the far post. A defense often depends on deciding which one to take. A defender who drifts from that assignment leaves a player or an area uncovered.
18
insurancenouncountable or uncountable
An insurance contract, or the protection it provides against specified losses.
The policy provides cover for fire and theft but not flooding.
She extended her cover to include accidental damage.
UsageOften cover for a risk: cover for fire and theft. Coverage is used the same way.
Similarinsurance, protection, coverage
19
false identitynouncountable or uncountable
A false identity or persona that a spy or secret agent maintains to conceal their true role.
He kept his cover even under hours of hostile questioning.
A single slip of the tongue can blow a carefully built cover.
UsageCommon in blow someone's cover, keep your cover and work under cover.
Similardisguise, front, facade
Note
In espionage, cover is a constructed life: a name, a background, an occupation and papers to match. Cover story names the account that holds the persona together, and undercover is built on the same image.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
A spy's constructed identity can include a claimed background supported by documents. spymuseum.org
Undercover is formed from under and cover, retaining the image of concealment. en.wiktionary.org
20
make excusesverbtransitive
To provide an alibi, excuse, or apology for someone in order to protect them from blame.
When she came in late, her coworkers covered for her and said she was in a meeting.
His friends promised to cover for him by saying he had been with them all night.
UsageFollowed by for and the person: her coworkers covered for her.
Similarshield, protect
21
entry feenouncountable or uncountable
The fixed charge for entry to a club, bar, or venue, often one with live music.
We skipped the show once we heard the cover had doubled.
A modest cover keeps the room from getting too crowded.
UsageAlso called a cover charge; you pay the cover at the door.
Similarcharge, admission, fee
22
handle (task)verbtransitive
To take on a particular duty or task as one's responsibility.
Let's divide the work: I'll cover the research and you can write the report.
Each nurse covers a different ward during the night.
Similarhandle, mind
23
protect from attackverbtransitive
To protect someone or something from attack, especially by aiming or firing a weapon at the enemy.
Two soldiers stayed by the doorway to cover the others with their rifles while they searched the house.
The bodyguards covered the senator as she crossed the plaza.
Similarprotect, guard, shield, defend
Note
Guarding heads a small family of senses: weapons, chess, sport and alibis all grow from it. Joseph Addison's Cato (1713) uses it in the passive, with the protectors as the instrument: a leader "cover'd with Numidian Guards."
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
The weapon, chess, sport and alibi senses belong to a protection/guarding family. en.wiktionary.org
Joseph Addison wrote Cato, first published in 1713. gutenberg.ca
The quotation describes Cato as protected by Numidian guards; Marcus speaks the passage in Act I, scene I. en.wikisource.org
24
others' songsadjective
Consisting of or relating to versions of songs originally recorded by other artists.
The festival booked three cover acts for the closing night.
His cover set leaned heavily on seventies rock.
UsageGoes before a noun: cover band, cover act, cover album.
Oppositeoriginal
25
verb
To protect or control a piece or square so that an opponent cannot safely move there or make a capture.
26
noun
In cricket, the place on the off side where a fielder stands between point and mid-off, roughly 30 degrees forward of square; also the fielder who stands there.
27
noun
A waterproof sheet or frame laid over the pitch to keep it dry when it rains.
28
noun
The part of the stumps that a batter shields with the body while protecting the wicket.
29
noun
A spare player added to a squad in case someone is hurt in practice or partway through a series.
30
noun
In set theory, a collection of sets drawn from a given set that between them include each of its members.
31
noun
A whole posted envelope, kept with its stamps and postal markings, as collected by stamp enthusiasts.
32
noun
A substitute purchase of matching goods on the open market that a buyer makes when a seller breaks a sales contract by not delivering.
33
noundated
An accomplice who helps a con artist carry out a swindle.
34
noun
On a roof, the area of each slate or shingle that is concealed once the next row is laid over it.
35
noun
The amount by which a slide valve in a steam engine overlaps the steam port.
36
noun
The thickness of concrete between the steel reinforcement and the outer surface.
37
verbdated
To put one's hat on, especially again after removing it as a mark of respect.
All the while he held his hat in his hand; and even until he had given his answer, when he covered and bade us be.
1904, Rawdon Lubbock Brown, Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts
38
verb
To wrap oneself in some quality, or to draw something on oneself.
39
verb
To run a local station's own content during a break in a syndicated show, in place of what the network supplies.
40
verb
Of a male animal such as a horse or dog, to mate with a female.
41
verbdated
To lay a table with plates, cutlery, and other things needed for a meal.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of cover apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

The verb was borrowed into Middle English as coveren from Old French covrir (now couvrir). The French came from Late Latin coperire and earlier Latin cooperiō ("I cover completely"), made of the intensive prefix co- and operiō ("I close, cover"). Spanish cubrir is a cognate. The original sense is thought to have been "hide from view," as in the related word covert.