coat

A piece of clothing worn over other clothes to keep you warm or dry outside.

• Put your coat on.
• She wore a warm coat in the snow.
• Where did you leave your coats?

Similar words: overcoat, jacket

Common phrases: winter coat, wear a coat, long coat

A layer of paint or another material spread over a surface.

• The door needs another coat.
• Apply a thin coat of varnish.
• Let the first coat dry before adding another.

How to use it: a coat of something (The table needs a coat of varnish.)

Similar words: layer, coating

Common phrases: coat of paint, thin coat, second coat

The hair, fur, or feathers covering an animal’s body.

• The dog has a thick coat.
• Brush your cat’s coat gently.
• These horses grow longer coats in winter.

Similar words: fur, pelt, plumage

Common phrases: thick coat, shiny coat, winter coat

A waterproof cover around a ship’s mast that keeps water from getting below the deck.

• The mast coat had torn.
• Water leaked through the damaged coat.
• The crew fitted a new coat around the mast.

Similar words: mast boot

Common phrases: mast coat, rubber coat

To put a layer of something over a surface.

• Coat the pan with oil.
• She coated the strawberries in chocolate.
• The workers will coat the metal to prevent rust.

How to use it: coat something with something (Coat the wood with varnish.); coat something in something (Coat the fish in flour.)

Similar words: cover

Common phrases: coat with something, coat in something, coat the surface

To form a layer over something’s surface.

• Dust coats the shelves.
• Ice coated the road overnight.
• A thin film of grease had coated the glass.

Similar words: cover

Common phrases: coat the ground, coat the walls