cover

/ˈkʌvɚ/

Reviewed on

Also a noun

Meaning

  1. To place something over or upon an object in order to protect, conceal, or enclose it.

    • She covered the sleeping child with a warm wool blanket.

    • Why didn't you cover the grill before it started raining?

  2. To deal with, include, or discuss a particular subject or area.

    • The introductory lecture covered the fundamental principles of economics.

    • Does this insurance policy cover accidental damage?

  3. To travel a specific distance.

    • The hikers covered twenty miles before making camp at dusk.

    • How much ground did the search team cover today?

  4. To report on an event or topic for a news organization.

    • A veteran journalist covered the mayoral election for the daily newspaper.

    • Have you ever covered a major political summit?

  5. To act as a temporary substitute for an absent coworker.

    • Could you cover my shift on Friday while I visit the dentist?

    • She agreed to cover for her colleague during his medical leave.

  6. To provide enough money to pay for an expense.

    • Fifty dollars should cover the cost of dinner and transportation.

    • My current savings will not cover next semester's tuition fees.

How it's used

When this means “place something over an object”

  • cover the table
  • cover the table with a cloth

“cover it.”

She covered the outdoor furniture before the rain began.

When this means “substitute for someone”

  • cover for a coworker

“cover for him.”

He asked a teammate to cover for him during the meeting.

Collocations

  • cover expenses
  • cover costs
  • cover ground
  • cover a story
  • cover tracks

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms

  • cover your tracks

    conceal evidence of what one has done

    The embezzler deleted several spreadsheets to cover his tracks.

  • cover all the bases

    deal with every possible situation or problem

    The attorney prepared thoroughly to ensure she had covered all the bases.

  • judge a book by its cover

    form an opinion based solely on outward appearance

    The unassuming storefront proved that you should never judge a book by its cover.

  • cover for someone

    make excuses to protect someone from blame

    She refused to cover for him when the supervisor asked where he was.