cloak

cloak — noun

IPA/kləʊk/
KK[klˈok]IPA/kləʊk/
  • cloaksingular
  • cloaksplural

1. An outer garment that hangs from the shoulders and opens at the front, with no a

1.名詞B1
釋義

An outer garment that hangs from the shoulders and opens at the front, with no arm openings, usually fastened with a clasp, tie, or brooch at the neck.

例句

Mateo wrapped his cloak tightly around his shoulders before stepping into the cold wind.

collocation: wrap a cloak / wear a cloak

At the medieval fair, children wore bright red cloaks with golden clasps.

同義詞
  • cape

    usually shorter than a cloak and often without a hood

  • mantle

    more formal or literary word for a loose cloak or shawl

常見錯誤

She bought a long cloak with sleeves for the winter.
She bought a long cloak for the winter.
💡By definition, a cloak has no sleeves; adding 'with sleeves' is contradictory.
He put on his cloak over his coat.
He wore a cloak instead of a coat.
💡A cloak replaces a coat; it is not typically worn over one.

2. Something that hides the real nature of a person, situation, or activity, making

2.名詞B2
釋義

Something that hides the real nature of a person, situation, or activity, making it appear different from what it actually is.

例句

Under the cloak of darkness, the rescue team moved through the forest to find the lost hikers.

fixed phrase: under the cloak of [darkness/night/secrecy]

The charity was used as a cloak for moving money between different countries illegally.

pattern: used as a cloak for [activity]

同義詞
  • veil

    suggests something thin that partly hides the truth

  • shroud

    stronger and more dramatic, suggesting complete concealment

  • front

    focuses on a false appearance put on deliberately

反義詞
  • exposure

    the act of making something hidden become known

  • revelation

    making a secret fact known to others

用法筆記

This is the figurative sense of 'cloak', not referring to actual clothing. It most often appears in set phrases like 'under the cloak of' and 'a cloak of [secrecy/darkness/silence]'.

常見錯誤

He used a cloak to hide his feelings.
His smile was a cloak for his hurt feelings.
💡Use the figurative sense with 'a cloak for' or 'a cloak of', not the literal garment, when the meaning is abstract.

cloak — verb

IPA/kləʊk/
KK[klˈok]IPA/kloʊk/