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 a thing, or be over it, to hide or protect it.
Like a lid that sits on a pot to keep the heat in.
A blue tarp covered the woodpile all winter.
Heavy clouds cover the mountain peaks most mornings.
UsageOften covered with or covered in: covered in snow.
Similarblanket, shroud
Oppositeuncover, expose, reveal, bare
Note
2
includeverbtransitive
To include or deal with something as part of a whole.
Like a big box that holds many smaller things inside.
The new rule covers all students, not just seniors.
Words like "furniture" cover tables, chairs, and beds.
Similarinclude, encompass, embrace
Oppositeexclude
3
discuss fullyverbtransitive
To talk about a subject fully, or to report news about it.
Like shining a flashlight on every part of a dark room.
The teacher covered the whole topic in one lesson.
Reporters cover the news every day.
Similarreport, discuss, examine, address, treat
Note
4
stretch acrossverbtransitive
To spread across a space or last over a length of time.
The estate covers nearly two hundred acres of farmland.
These wetlands cover several square miles along the coast.
Similarspan, encompass, include, embrace
5
outside (book)nouncountable or uncountable
The outer front and back of a book or magazine.
Like the wrapping on the outside of a gift.
The book's cover showed a bright red dragon.
She designed the cover for the new magazine.
UsageSay on the cover. Cover to cover means the whole book.
Similarjacket, sleeve, binding
6
pay forverbtransitive
To pay for the cost of something.
Like paying for your friend's movie ticket.
Don't worry, I'll cover the bill tonight.
Her parents covered the cost of college.
UsageOften cover the cost.
Similarpay, fund, finance, meet
7
another's songnouncountable or uncountable
A new version of a song first recorded by someone else.
Like singing your own version of a song you heard on the radio.
Her cover of the old pop song became a hit.
The band played a cover at the end of the show.
UsageSay a cover of a song.
Similarversion, rendition, remake
8
redo a songverbtransitive
To record or perform your own version of a song that another singer made first.
Like singing a famous song in your own way.
The band covered a Beatles classic at the festival.
Many artists cover old hits to win over younger fans.
UsageUse cover a song as a verb, but a cover of a song as a noun.
9
insurance paysverbtransitive
To pay for a loss or cost under an insurance plan.
Like a friend who promises to pay if your phone breaks.
Does your plan cover dental work?
The policy covered the cost of the repairs.
UsageAsk: am I covered?
Similarinclude, insure
Oppositeexclude
10
lidnouncountable or uncountable
Something you put over or around a thing to close or protect it, like a lid or a case.
Like the top of a lunchbox that keeps your sandwich safe.
Put the cover back on the pot so the soup stays warm.
The box has a tight cover that snaps shut.
Similarlid, top, case, cap, casing
11
shelternoununcountable
A place or thing that hides you or keeps you safe from danger.
Like hiding behind a curtain so no one sees you.
The thieves used the dark as cover to slip away.
She found cover behind the tall bushes.
UsageOften take cover: hide from danger.
Similarshelter, concealment, protection, camouflage, shield
12
travel (distance)verbtransitive
To travel a certain distance from one point to another.
We covered forty miles before sunset.
Long-distance runners cover twenty-six miles in a single marathon.
Similartravel, traverse, cross
Note
13
front of magazineadjective
Relating to the front of a book or magazine.
She was the cover model for the spring issue.
The cover story drew national attention that week.
UsageBefore a noun: cover photo.
14
place settingnouncountable or uncountable
A place set for one person to eat at a restaurant table or a formal dinner.
The waiter set one more cover at our table when Ana arrived.
The long table was set with twenty covers for the wedding dinner.
UsageSay set or lay a cover.
Similarplace
Note

Less common meanings

15
stand inverbintransitive
To take someone's place at a job for a short time.
Like a friend who takes your turn so you can rest.
Can you cover for me on Saturday?
She covered while the manager was on vacation.
UsageSay cover for someone: do their work while they are away.
Similarsubstitute, deputize
16
beddingnouncountable or uncountable
The cloth layer that lies on top of a bed to keep you warm.
Like a big blanket that lies on top of you in bed.
She pulled the cover up over her shoulders.
She pulled the cover up to her chin and fell asleep.
UsageOften under the covers.
Similarblanket, bedspread, coverlet, quilt
17
defend (sport)verbtransitive
To stay close to a player on the other team to stop them from scoring.
Like staying right next to someone in tag so they can't get past you.
She covered their best striker for the entire match.
Defenders cover the wingers to limit crosses into the box.
Similarmark, guard, defend
Note
18
insurancenouncountable or uncountable
Protection from an insurance plan that pays when something goes wrong.
Like a safety net that catches you if money problems hit.
Does your travel plan include cover for lost luggage?
They bought extra cover before the trip.
UsageOften cover for fire or theft.
Similarinsurance, protection, coverage
19
false identitynouncountable or uncountable
A false identity that a spy uses to hide their real job.
Like a mask that hides who someone really is.
Her cover as a travel writer let her move between countries unnoticed.
The agent's cover fell apart after one careless phone call.
UsageOften blow your cover: let people find out who you are.
Similardisguise, front, facade
Note
20
make excusesverbtransitive
To tell a story that keeps someone else out of trouble.
Like a friend who tells the same story you do so you stay out of trouble.
When Mom asked who broke the vase, Sam covered for his sister.
Please cover for me if the boss asks where I am.
UsageSay cover for someone.
Similarshield, protect
21
entry feenouncountable or uncountable
The fee you pay just to get into a club or bar.
Like paying a ticket just to get in the door.
There's a ten-dollar cover at the door tonight.
The club waived the cover for everyone who arrived early.
UsageAlso called a cover charge.
Similarcharge, admission, fee
22
handle (task)verbtransitive
To take care of a task or shift, often in place of someone else.
Like a teammate stepping in to take your turn.
You make dinner, and I'll cover the cleanup.
She covers the front desk in the mornings.
Similarhandle, mind
23
protect from attackverbtransitive
To protect someone from attack, often by being ready to shoot.
Like a friend watching your back while you cross a busy street.
Stay low, and I'll cover you while you run to the car.
Two guards covered the entrance all night.
Similarprotect, guard, shield, defend
Note
24
others' songsadjective
Made up of songs first recorded by other artists.
Like a band that only plays other people's songs.
Their cover album climbed straight to the top of the charts.
She fronts a popular cover band on weekends.
UsageOften cover band.
Oppositeoriginal
25
verb
To guard a square or piece so your opponent cannot safely move or capture there.
26
noun
In cricket, a place to the batter's off side and a little in front, or the player standing there.
27
noun
A sheet put over the playing area in cricket to keep rain off.
28
noun
The part of the stumps a batter stands in front of to guard them.
29
noun
An extra player ready to replace an injured teammate.
30
noun
A group of sets, all inside a given set, that together contain every member of it.
31
noun
Stamped and postmarked mail, usually an envelope, as kept by stamp collectors.
32
noun
Buying replacement goods elsewhere when a seller fails to deliver what was promised.
33
noundated
A person who secretly helps a cheat trick people.
34
noun
The part of a roof tile hidden under the next row of tiles.
35
noun
How far a valve in a steam engine overlaps its opening.
36
noun
The layer of concrete that sits outside the steel bars inside it.
37
verbdated
To put a hat on your head, often after taking it off.
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 take on something, or cause something to happen to yourself.
39
verb
To show local material instead of the network's during a break in a show.
40
verb
Of a male animal, to mate with a female.
41
verbdated
To set a table 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

From Middle English coveren, taken from Old French covrir, which came from Latin cooperiō meaning "I cover completely," from co- plus operiō "I close, cover."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 6 facts

English cover derives from Middle English coveren. en.wiktionary.org
Middle English coveren was borrowed from Old French covrir. en.wiktionary.org
Old French covrir derives from Latin cooperiō, whose infinitive is cooperīre. en.wiktionary.org
Latin cooperiō means “I cover completely.” en.wiktionary.org
Latin cooperiō combines co- and operiō. en.wiktionary.org
Latin operiō means “I close, cover.” en.wiktionary.org