1
: a loose outer garment
2
: something likened to an outer garment: such as
a
: something that envelops or conceals
a cloak of secrecy
b
: a distinctive character or role
hung up his academic cloak … to become a stay-at-home father—
Charles Chamberlain
Charles Chamberlain
cloaked; cloaking; cloaks
: to cover or hide with or as if with a cloak
Examples of cloak in a Sentence
Noun
Their plans were shrouded in a cloak of secrecy.
the cloak of mystery that surrounds the royal family
Verb
the outlaw nation had cloaked its chemical weapons plant as a fertilizer factory
cloaked their military maneuvers from the outside world
Recent Examples on the Web
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
My freshman-year college roommate brought an entire underbed storage tub full of medieval costumes (multiple petticoats and cloaks).
—Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
Abby Monteil, Them., 28 Oct. 2025
Model Alex Consani wore that haute couture look, made up of an ivory silk faille circle cloak with an oversize ruff collar, a black gazar top, a cream peasant blouse, and bloomers, with a black felt and gold lamé headpiece and bright teal silk moiré sandals covered in pearls and studs.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloak
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Noun
The 42-seat screening room, originally a cloak room, is officially a part of the private residence of the First Family, but its history from Eisenhower to Reagan was recorded by its longtime projectionist, Paul Fischer.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
My freshman-year college roommate brought an entire underbed storage tub full of medieval costumes (multiple petticoats and cloaks).
—Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
That Hedda has forged such a life for herself is a testament to her wiles — no one is more adept at delivering acidic barbs cloaked by a friendly hand on the shoulder.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 28 Oct. 2025
Model Alex Consani wore that haute couture look, made up of an ivory silk faille circle cloak with an oversize ruff collar, a black gazar top, a cream peasant blouse, and bloomers, with a black felt and gold lamé headpiece and bright teal silk moiré sandals covered in pearls and studs.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloak
Cite this Entry
“Cloak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cloak. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cloak
1 of 2 noun1
: a long loose outer garment
2
: something that conceals or covers
a cloak of secrecy surrounded the talks
cloak
2 of 2 verb
: to cover or hide with a cloak
Etymology
Noun
Middle English cloke "cloak," from early French cloque "cloak, bell"; so named because a cloak resembled a bell in shape — related to clock
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