A2nounhigh_frequency_chunk

Cloud

UK /["/klaʊd/"]/US /["/klaʊd/"]/

Definition

a grey or white mass that floats in the sky, made of very small drops of water

In simple words: A white or gray mass in the sky made of water or ice.

Examples

  • The sky is filled with a fluffy white cloud.
  • We can see a dark cloud approaching the horizon.
  • She saved her documents in the cloud for easy access.
  • Many companies are moving their data to the cloud.
  • The cloud blocked out the sun, making it cooler outside.

Usage notes

Used to describe the visible form of condensed water vapor in the atmosphere. Appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. Avoid using it metaphorically when talking about emotions unless discussing weather.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of a 'crowd' of white fluffy shapes in the sky.

Collocations

  • dense
  • heavy
  • thick
  • band
  • bank
  • blanket
  • seed
  • form
  • gather
  • mass
  • bank
  • cover
  • layer
  • above the clouds
  • below the clouds
  • through the clouds
  • a break in the cloud
  • a break in the clouds
  • great
  • huge
  • dense
  • create
  • form
  • belch
  • cloud of

Synonyms

  • nimbus
  • cumulus
  • stratus
  • overcast
  • haze

Antonyms

  • sun
  • clear sky
  • brightness

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'cloudy' as an adjective when describing the weather.
  • Mispronounced as 'clowd'.
  • Using 'cloud' as a verb incorrectly.