cover
1 of 2verb
cov·er ˈkə-vər 
covered; covering ˈkəv-riŋ
ˈkə-və-
transitive verb
1
a
: to guard from attack
b(1)
: to have within the range of one's guns : command
The ships were covering approaches to the harbor.
(2)
: to hold within range of an aimed firearm
The deputy covered the sheriff who was apprehending the suspect.
c(1)
: to afford protection or security to : insure
a policy covering the traveler in all kinds of accidents
(2)
: to afford protection against or compensation (see compensation sense 2) for
a policy covering loss by fire
d(1)
: to guard (an opponent) in order to obstruct a play
a linebacker assigned to cover the tight end
(2)
: to be in position to receive a throw to (a base in baseball)
The shortstop was covering second.
e(1)
: to make provision for (a demand or charge) by means of a reserve or deposit
Your balance is insufficient to cover the check.
(2)
: to maintain a check on especially by patrolling
motorcycle police covering the highways
(3)
: to protect by contrivance or expedient
2
a
: to hide from sight or knowledge : conceal
cover up a scandal
b
: to lie over : envelop
a blanket covering her legs
3
: to lay or spread something over : overlay
Cover the seedbed with straw.
4
a
: to spread over
Snow covered the hills.
b
: to appear here and there on the surface of
a region covered with lakes
5
: to place or set a cover or covering over
Cover the pot.
6
a
: to copulate with (a female animal)
a horse covers a mare
b
: to sit on and incubate (eggs)
7
: to invest with a large or excessive amount of something
covered herself with glory
8
: to play a higher-ranking card on (a previously played card)
9
: to have sufficient scope to include or take into account
an examination covering a full year's work
10
: to deal with : treat
material covered in the first chapter
11
a
: to have as one's territory or field of activity
One sales rep covers the whole state.
b
: to report news about
reporters covering the campaign
12
: to pass over : traverse
The hikers covered 12 miles that day.
13
: to defray the cost of
cover expenses
14
: to place one's stake in equal jeopardy within a bet
15
: to buy securities or commodities for delivery against (an earlier short sale)
16
: to record or perform a cover of (a song)
intransitive verb
1
: to conceal something illicit, blameworthy, or embarrassing from notice —usually used with up
cover up for a careless coworker
2
: to act as a substitute or replacement during an absence
a stand-in covering for an injured star
coverable
ˈkəv-rə-bəl
adjective ˈkə-və-
coverer
ˈkə-vər-ər
noun cover
2 of 2noun
often attributive
1
: something that protects, shelters, or guards: such as
a
: natural shelter for an animal
also : the factors that provide such shelter
b(1)
: a position or situation affording protection from enemy fire
(2)
: the protection offered by airplanes in tactical support of a military operation
c
British : coverage sense 1a
2
: something that is placed over or about another thing:
a
: lid, top
b
: a binding or case for a book or the analogous part of a magazine
also : the front or back of such a binding
c
: an overlay or outer layer especially for protection
a mattress cover
d
: a tablecloth and the other table accessories
e
: cover charge
f
: roof
g
: a cloth used on a bed for warmth or for decoration —usually used in plural
lying under the covers
h
: something (such as vegetation or snow) that covers the ground
i
: the extent to which clouds obscure the sky
3
a
: something that conceals or obscures
under cover of darkness
b
: a masking device : pretext
The project was a cover for intelligence operations.
4
: an envelope or wrapper for mail
5
: one who substitutes for another during an absence
6
: a recording or performance of a song previously recorded by another performer
coverless
ˈkə-vər-ləs
adjective 
Synonyms
Verb
- fill in
- pinch-hit
- stand in
- step in
- sub
- substitute
- take over
Noun
- cap
- lid
- top
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb The gardener covered the soil with mulch. The furniture had been covered in a protective cloth. We covered the stains on the wall with a fresh coat of paint. You should cover your mouth when you cough. She covered her head with a scarf. tables covered with white linen Lakes cover much of the state. The hikers covered long distances every day. The bird may cover thousands of miles during its migration. Noun She placed a cover over the pan so that the oil wouldn't spatter. I put a cover on the sofa to protect it. There's a picture of the author on the book's back cover. The singer is posing in jeans and cowboy boots on the album cover. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 12 Feb. 2023 That’s an athletic trio that should cover a lot of ground and improve Toronto’s overall team defense, which was already solid … Mets GM Billy Eppler made two interesting decisions this past week. —Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Feb. 2023 Reduce the heat to medium-low, partially cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes, then remove from the heat. —Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2023 For an extra $20, the Tapo RV10 adds a 300ml water tank and mopping pad, which can cover 2,100 square feet of floor and has three levels of water flow. —Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 9 Feb. 2023 Nielsen’s streaming ratings cover viewing on TV sets only and don’t include minutes watched on computers or mobile devices. —Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2023 Add 1/2 cup water, cover and steam/cook over high heat 7 to 9 minutes, adding a bit more water as needed. —Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Feb. 2023 Add the onion and ½ teaspoon salt; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften and brown, about 7 minutes. —Christopher Kimball, USA TODAY, 8 Feb. 2023 Monthly copays only cover a small portion of it, and the rest of the bill is passed on in the less noticeable form of monthly premium increases. —Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, 8 Feb. 2023 Chaise Sanders, Country Living, 11 Feb. 2023 The measure was one of several bills in the two-week special session meant to provide legislative cover for actions DeSantis took that are being challenged in state and federal courts. —Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2023 Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, James appeared next to that proclamation on the now-iconic Sports Illustrated cover for the magazine's Feb. 18, 2002 edition. —The Courier-Journal, 8 Feb. 2023 Henry Diltz, the congenial photographer behind over 200 album covers (including the Morrison Hotel cover for the Doors), spoke candidly on his career and even managed to sneak in an anecdote about Ringo Starr booting him off stage. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2023 Israeli soldiers had removed one of his couches and set up a firing position by the window to provide cover for their units engaging Palestinian gunmen nearby. —Vasco Cotovio, CNN, 4 Feb. 2023 But whatever official pretext Mr. McGonigal might have for those trips and associations could also have served as a cover for more questionable activities, others said. —Kenneth P. Vogel, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2023 Luke Combs fans finally have a name and album cover for his upcoming project, out March 24. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2023 So, think about swapping that duvet cover for a washable blanket or quilt. —Korin Miller, Health, 26 Jan. 2023 See More
Verb
Reduce the heat to low, partially cover and simmer for 10 minutes. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 12 Feb. 2023 That’s an athletic trio that should cover a lot of ground and improve Toronto’s overall team defense, which was already solid … Mets GM Billy Eppler made two interesting decisions this past week. —Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Feb. 2023 Reduce the heat to medium-low, partially cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes, then remove from the heat. —Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2023 For an extra $20, the Tapo RV10 adds a 300ml water tank and mopping pad, which can cover 2,100 square feet of floor and has three levels of water flow. —Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 9 Feb. 2023 Nielsen’s streaming ratings cover viewing on TV sets only and don’t include minutes watched on computers or mobile devices. —Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2023 Add 1/2 cup water, cover and steam/cook over high heat 7 to 9 minutes, adding a bit more water as needed. —Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Feb. 2023 Add the onion and ½ teaspoon salt; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften and brown, about 7 minutes. —Christopher Kimball, USA TODAY, 8 Feb. 2023 Monthly copays only cover a small portion of it, and the rest of the bill is passed on in the less noticeable form of monthly premium increases. —Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, 8 Feb. 2023 Noun
The flowing dress designed by Prabal Gurung was a dead ringer and perfect homage to her look from her most recent album cover for Subject to Change. —Chaise Sanders, Country Living, 11 Feb. 2023 The measure was one of several bills in the two-week special session meant to provide legislative cover for actions DeSantis took that are being challenged in state and federal courts. —Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2023 Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, James appeared next to that proclamation on the now-iconic Sports Illustrated cover for the magazine's Feb. 18, 2002 edition. —The Courier-Journal, 8 Feb. 2023 Henry Diltz, the congenial photographer behind over 200 album covers (including the Morrison Hotel cover for the Doors), spoke candidly on his career and even managed to sneak in an anecdote about Ringo Starr booting him off stage. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2023 Israeli soldiers had removed one of his couches and set up a firing position by the window to provide cover for their units engaging Palestinian gunmen nearby. —Vasco Cotovio, CNN, 4 Feb. 2023 But whatever official pretext Mr. McGonigal might have for those trips and associations could also have served as a cover for more questionable activities, others said. —Kenneth P. Vogel, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2023 Luke Combs fans finally have a name and album cover for his upcoming project, out March 24. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2023 So, think about swapping that duvet cover for a washable blanket or quilt. —Korin Miller, Health, 26 Jan. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French coverir, covrir, from Latin cooperire, from co- + operire to close, cover
First Known Use
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing cover
Kids Definition
cover
1 of 2 verb cov·er ˈkəv-ər
covered; covering ˈkəv-(ə-)riŋ
1
a
: to guard from attack
b
: to have within range of one's guns
c
: to provide protection to or against : insure
insurance that covers the traveler in any accident
the policy covered water damage
d
: to maintain a check on especially by patrolling
state police covering the highways
2
a
: to hide something from sight or knowledge
cover up a scandal
b
: to conceal something dishonest or embarrassing from notice
cover for a friend in an investigation
c
: to act as a substitute or replacement
covered for me during my vacation
3
a
: to spread or lie over or on
covered the child with a blanket
water covered the floor
b
: to put something protective or concealing over
cover the mouth while coughing
4
a
: to deal with
a test covering two chapters
b
: to provide or plan for
plans covering an emergency
5
a
: to have as one's territory or field of activity
one salesperson covers the whole state
b
: to report news about
covered the trial
6
: to pass over or through
covered 10 miles a day
7
: to pay or provide for the payment of
cover expenses
coverable
ˈkəv-(ə-)rə-bəl
adjective coverer noun
-ər-ər
cover
2 of 2 noun1
: something that protects, shelters, or conceals (as a natural shelter for an animal or natural features that shelter or conceal)
2
a
: something that is placed over or about another thing (as the lid of a box or a sheet or blanket on a bed)
b
: a binding or case for a book or the front or back of such a binding
c
: something (as plants or snow) that covers the ground
3
: an envelope or wrapper for mail
Legal Definition
cover
1 of 2 transitive verb cov·er
1
: insure
this policy covers other family drivers
2
: to give protection against or compensation or indemnification for
doesn't cover flood damage
intransitive verb
: to obtain cover
where the seller anticipatorily repudiates a contract and the buyer does not cover—Cosden Oil & Chemical Co. v. Karl O. Helm AG, 736 F.2d 1064 (1984)
Cosden Oil & Chemical Co. v. Karl O. Helm AG, 736 F.2d 1064 (1984)cover
2 of 2 noun : purchase of goods in substitution for those originally contracted for when the seller fails to fulfill the contract
the buyer is always free to choose between cover and damages for nondelivery—Uniform Commercial Code
Uniform Commercial Code also : the substituted goods
Note: Under the Uniform Commercial Code, when a seller does not perform on a contract, the buyer has the option of covering, with the seller paying the difference between the cost of the cover and the original contract price, or seeking damages for nonperformance. Reselling is the seller's comparable remedy when a buyer does not perform under a contract.
covers 1 of 2
verb
1
as in substitutes
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only a friend covered for me as a hospital volunteer while my family went on vacation Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- substitutes
- stands in
- spells
- fills in
- subs
- steps in
- takes over
- pinch-hits
- understudies
- relieves
- doubles (as)
2
as in coats
to form a layer over by morning a foot of snow covered the ground Synonyms & Similar Words
- coats
- sheets
- blankets
- wraps
- carpets
- overlays
- overlies
- encompasses
- envelops
- encircles
- overspreads
- encloses
- curtains
- shawls
- mantles
- circles
- incloses
- clothes
- enshrouds
- shrouds
- cloaks
- swathes
- enrobes
- enswathes
- enwraps
- veils
3
as in shields
to place a protective layer over better cover your skin with sunblock if you don't want a sunburn, not to mention skin cancer Synonyms & Similar Words
- shields
- masks
- clothes
- screens
- drapes
- cloaks
- obscures
- caps
- veils
- canopies
- disguises
- crowns
- palls
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exposes
- uncovers
- bares
4
as in concerns
to have (something) as a subject matter this section of the book covers kitchen makeovers for the enterprising do-it-yourselfer Synonyms & Similar Words
- concerns
- includes
- encompasses
- presents
- specifies
- contains
- offers
- pertains (to)
- treats (of)
- mentions
- incorporates
- cites
- deals (with)
- has to do with
- notices
- entails
- quotes
- relates (to)
- instances
- notes
- appertains (to)
- names
- bears (on or upon)
- refers (to)
- embraces
- alludes (to)
- adverts (to)
- touches (upon)
- glances (upon)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- excludes
- omits
- ignores
- neglects
- forgets
- overlooks
- disregards
- rejects
- brushes (aside or off)
- passes over
- slurs (over)
- shrugs off
- overpasses
- slights
5
as in conceals
to keep secret or shut off from view covered the foxhole with grass and leaves Synonyms & Similar Words
- conceals
- hides
- obscures
- disguises
- masks
- curtains
- cloaks
- suppresses
- blankets
- shrouds
- enshrouds
- veils
- camouflages
- blots out
- overshadows
- papers over
- screens
- blocks
- buries
- belies
- occults
- shades
- smothers
- eclipses
- overcasts
- whitewashes
- varnishes
- obstructs
- occludes
- gilds
- covers (up)
- darkens
- clouds
- bedims
- beclouds
- glosses (over)
- befogs
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reveals
- exposes
- shows
- discloses
- uncovers
- displays
- presents
- divulges
- unveils
- unmasks
- bares
- brings out
- illuminates
- clarifies
- publishes
- advertises
- uncloaks
- spreads
- proclaims
- publicizes
- gets out
- broadcasts
- airs
6
as in traverses
to make one's way through, across, or over we usually manage to cover a lot of ground in a single day Synonyms & Similar Words
- traverses
- follows
- crosses
- tracks
- navigates
- walks
- travels
- courses
- goes
- treads
- rides
- peregrinates
- perambulates
- transits
- hikes
- passes (over)
- runs
- proceeds (along)
- tramps
- crisscrosses
- cuts (across)
- traipses
7
as in monitors
to pay continued close attention to (something) for a particular purpose I'll cover the reception desk while you take a break Synonyms & Similar Words
- monitors
- watches
- looks
- observes
- notices
- keeps an eye on
- eyes
- views
- notes
- sees
- stares
- sights
- regards
- glimpses
- peeks
- spies
- beholds
- goggles
- surveils
- gapes
- gazes
- espies
- witnesses
- peers
- glances
- gawks
- glares
- rubbernecks
- peeps
8
as in protects
to drive danger or attack away from covered the wounded soldier until he could be rescued from the downed chopper Synonyms & Similar Words
- protects
- defends
- shields
- safeguards
- guards
- secures
- fences
- keeps
- screens
- wards
- prevents
- fends
- bulwarks
- forfends
- saves
- stands up for
- preserves
- withstands
- resists
- opposes
- conserves
- wars
- averts
- contends
- walls
- fights
- battles
- buffers
- palisades
- pickets
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- assails
- attacks
- bombards
- submits
- overruns
- yields
- assaults
- besieges
- storms
- capitulates
- besets
- caves
covers
2 of 2noun
1
as in lids
a piece placed over an open container to hold in, protect, or conceal its contents where's the cover for the cookie jar? Synonyms & Similar Words
- lids
- tops
- coverings
- caps
- hoods
- roofs
- jackets
- cases
- domes
- housings
- casings
- shells
- sheaths
- capsules
2
as in safeguards
means or method of defending provided cover while their comrades ran for safety Synonyms & Similar Words
- shields
- safeguards
- protections
- defenses
- walls
- ammunitions
- weapons
- screens
- securities
- guards
- wards
- armors
- bucklers
- egises
- aegises
- arms
- armaments
- munitions
- forts
- strongholds
- palisades
- fortresses
- weaponries
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- attacks
- offenses
- assaults
- offences
- aggressions
- offensives
3
as in coverings
something that encloses another thing especially to protect it put the restaurant menus in clear plastic covers so that they would last longer Synonyms & Similar Words
- coverings
- sheaths
- casings
- cases
- housings
- jackets
- shields
- shells
- plates
- packages
- hulls
- wrappers
- coatings
- armors
- pods
- capsules
- encasements
- cocoons
- husks
- cartridges
- hides
- cassettes
- houses
- platings
- crusts
- envelopes
- barks
- skins
- backings
- mails
- facings
- carapaces
- covertures
- casettes
- panoplies
- cuticles
4
as in replacements
a person or thing that takes the place of another people may only skip their shifts if they find a cover for themselves first Synonyms & Similar Words
- replacements
- substitutes
- backups
- assistants
- pinch hitters
- designated hitters
- subs
- alternates
- locum tenentes
- fill-ins
- reliefs
- surrogates
- reserves
- proxies
- stand-ins
- delegates
- factors
- seconds
- makeshifts
- apologies
- reps
- superseders
- attorneys
- understudies
- commissaries
- assignees
- deputies
- representatives
- agents
- stopgaps
- successors
- procurators
- envoys
- relievers
5
as in canopies
a raised covering over something for decoration or protection all of the exhibits at the fair are under cover, so the weather won't be a factor Synonyms & Similar Words
- canopies
- roofs
- tents
- awnings
- ceilings
- shields
- umbrellas
- pavilions
- domes
- screens
- shelters
- shades
- flies
- canvasses
- bowers
- canvases
- marquees
- sunshades
- arbors
- pergolas
6
as in shrouds
something that covers or conceals like a piece of cloth under cover of friendship the con man insinuated himself in the lives of the unsuspecting couple Synonyms & Similar Words
- shrouds
- cloaks
- veils
- blankets
- coverings
- wraps
- curtains
- masks
- robes
- copes
- hoods
- mantles
- covertures
- shields
- penumbrae
- palls
- screens
- cover-ups
- camouflages
- blinds
- faces
- concealers
- penumbras
- disguises
- fig leaves
- glosses
- facades
- fig leafs
- varnishes
- veneers
- Potemkin villages
- façades
- Trojan horses