Meaning & Definition of Cover in English

1. A covering that serves to conceal or shelter something

• "A screen of trees afforded privacy"

• "Under cover of darkness"

• "The brush provided a covert for game"

• "The simplest concealment is to match perfectly the color of the background"

2. Bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

• "He pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep"

3. The act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it

• "The cover concealed their guns from enemy aircraft"

4. The protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book

• "The book had a leather binding"

5. A natural object that covers or envelops

• "Under a covering of dust"

• "The fox was flushed from its cover"

6. Covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container)

• "He removed the top of the carton"

• "He couldn't get the top off of the bottle"

• "Put the cover back on the kettle"

7. Fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations

• "Artillery provided covering fire for the withdrawal"

8. A fixed charge by a restaurant or nightclub over and above the charge for food and drink

9. A recording of a song that was first recorded or made popular by somebody else

• "They made a cover of a beatles' song"

10. A false identity and background (especially one created for an undercover agent)

• "Her new name and passport are cover for her next assignment"

1. Provide with a covering or cause to be covered

• "Cover her face with a handkerchief"

• "Cover the child with a blanket"

• "Cover the grave with flowers"

2. Form a cover over

• "The grass covered the grave"

3. Span an interval of distance, space or time

• "The war extended over five years"

• "The period covered the turn of the century"

• "My land extends over the hills on the horizon"

• "This farm covers some 200 acres"

• "The archipelago continues for another 500 miles"

4. Provide for

• "The grant doesn't cover my salary"

5. Act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

• "This book deals with incest"

• "The course covered all of western civilization"

• "The new book treats the history of china"

6. Include in scope

• Include as part of something broader

• Have as one's sphere or territory

• "This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds"

• "This should cover everyone in the group"

7. Travel across or pass over

• "The caravan covered almost 100 miles each day"

8. Be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism

• "Snow reported on china in the 1950's"

• "The cub reporter covered new york city"

9. Hold within range of an aimed firearm

10. To take an action to protect against future problems

• "Count the cash in the drawer twice just to cover yourself"

11. Hide from view or knowledge

• "The president covered the fact that he bugged the offices in the white house"

12. Protect or defend (a position in a game)

• "He covered left field"

13. Maintain a check on

• Especially by patrolling

• "The second officer covered the top floor"

14. Protect by insurance

• "The insurance won't cover this"

15. Make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities

• "He is compensating for being a bad father"

16. Invest with a large or excessive amount of something

• "She covered herself with glory"

17. Help out by taking someone's place and temporarily assuming his responsibilities

• "She is covering for our secretary who is ill this week"

18. Be sufficient to meet, defray, or offset the charge or cost of

• "Is this enough to cover the check?"

19. Spread over a surface to conceal or protect

• "This paint covers well"

20. Cover as if with a shroud

• "The origins of this civilization are shrouded in mystery"

21. Copulate with a female, used especially of horses

• "The horse covers the mare"

22. Put something on top of something else

• "Cover the meat with a lot of gravy"

23. Play a higher card than the one previously played

• "Smith covered again"

24. Be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game

25. Sit on (eggs)

• "Birds brood"

• "The female covers the eggs"

26. Clothe, as if for protection from the elements

• "Cover your head!"