verb

cover

KUH-vuh

verb

To place something over another thing to protect, conceal, or shield it.

"She covered the leftovers with plastic wrap."

"Clouds covered the sky before the storm hit."

To deal with, include, or report on a topic or event.

"The lecture covers the basics of economics."

"The news channel covered the election results live."

To be enough money to pay for something.

"This budget should cover our travel expenses."

"Does your insurance cover water damage?"

noun

The front or back of a book, magazine, or similar publication.

"Her photo made the cover of the magazine."

A new recording or performance of a song originally released by another artist.

"The band played a cover of a classic rock song at the wedding."

How to Use Cover

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo put something over or protect something, to deal with a topic, to be enough money for something, or (as a noun) the outer face of a book or a re-recorded version of a song.

Common pairings

cover charge cover story cover version cover the cost take cover

Word Forms

covered past tense, covers plural, cover plural, covered plural, covers singular, cover singular, covered singular, coverest singular, coveredst singular, covereth singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ the leftovers with plastic wrap.

Etymology

From Old French covrir, from Late Latin coperire, ultimately from Latin cooperiō ("to cover completely") — built from co- (intensive prefix) plus operiō ("to close, cover").

Rhymes for cover

over lover hover Dover mover rover clover Hoover Grover glover Hanover recover

See all rhymes for cover →