cloud

[ kloud ]

noun

1. a visible collection of particles of water or ice suspended in the air, usually at an elevation above the earth's surface.

   Synonyms: vapor

2. any similar mass, especially of smoke or dust.
3. a dim or obscure area in something otherwise clear or transparent.
4. a patch or spot differing in color from the surrounding surface.
5. anything that obscures or darkens something, or causes gloom, trouble, suspicion, disgrace, etc.
6. a great number of insects, birds, etc., flying together:

   a cloud of locusts obscuring the sun.

   Synonyms: army, crowd, host, throng, multitude, horde, swarm

7. Digital Technology. Usually the cloud. any of several, often proprietary, parts of the internet that allow online processing and storage of documents and data as well as electronic access to software and other resources:

   More and more software companies are encouraging users to store their work in the cloud.

adjective

, Digital Technology.

1. of or relating to cloud computing:

   cloud software; cloud servers.

2. relating to or doing business on the internet:

   Google and other cloud companies.

verb (used with object)

1. to overspread or cover with, or as with, a cloud or clouds:

   The smoke from the fire clouded the sun from view.

2. to overshadow; obscure; darken:

   The hardships of war cloud his childhood memories.

3. to make gloomy.
4. (of distress, anxiety, etc.) to reveal itself in (a part of one's face):

   Worry clouded his brow.

5. to make obscure or indistinct; confuse:

   Don't cloud the issue with unnecessary details.

   Synonyms: muddle, distort

6. to place under suspicion, disgrace, etc.
7. to variegate with patches of another color.

verb (used without object)

1. to grow cloudy; become clouded.
2. (of a part of one's face) to reveal one's distress, anxiety, etc.:

   His brow clouded with anger.

cloud

/ klaʊd /

noun

1. a mass of water or ice particles visible in the sky, usually white or grey, from which rain or snow falls when the particles coagulate See also cirrus cumulonimbus cumulus stratus
2. any collection of particles visible in the air, esp of smoke or dust
3. a large number of insects or other small animals in flight
4. something that darkens, threatens, or carries gloom
5. jewellery a cloudlike blemish in a transparent stone
6. modifier of or relating to cloud computing

   a cloud application

7. in the clouds
   not in contact with reality
8. under a cloud
   1. under reproach or suspicion
   2. in a state of gloom or bad temper
9. on cloud nine informal.
   elated; very happy

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by over or up to make or become cloudy, overcast, or indistinct
2. tr to make obscure; darken
3. tr to confuse or impair

   emotion clouded his judgment

4. to make or become gloomy or depressed
5. tr to place under or render liable to suspicion or disgrace
6. to render (liquids) milky or dull or (of liquids) to become milky or dull
7. to become or render mottled or variegated

cloud

/ kloud /

1. A visible body of very fine water droplets or ice particles suspended in the atmosphere at altitudes ranging up to several miles above sea level. Clouds are formed when air that contains water vapor cools below the dew point.
2. A distinguishable mass of particles or gas, such as the collection of gases and dust in a nebula.

Derived Forms

• ˈcloudlessness, noun
• ˈcloudˌlike, adjective
• ˈcloudlessly, adverb
• ˈcloudless, adjective

Other Words From

• cloudlike adjective
• inter·cloud verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cloud¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English clūd “rock, hill”; akin to clod, Greek gloutós “buttock”; gluteus ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of cloud¹

C13 (in the sense: a mass of vapour): from Old English clūd rock, hill; probably related to clod

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in the clouds,
   1. in a condition of absent-mindedness; lost in reverie.
   2. impractical:

      Their schemes are usually up in the clouds.

2. on a cloud, Informal. exceedingly happy; in high spirits:

   On the night of the prom the seniors were on a cloud.

3. under a cloud, in disgrace; under suspicion:

   After going bankrupt he left town under a cloud.

More idioms and phrases containing cloud

• head in the clouds
• on cloud nine
• silver lining, every cloud has
• under a cloud

Synonym Study

Cloud, fog, haze, mist differ somewhat in their figurative uses. Cloud connotes especially daydreaming: His mind is in the clouds. Fog and haze connote especially bewilderment or confusion: to go around in a fog ( haze ). Mist has an emotional connotation and suggests tears: a mist in one's eyes.

Example Sentences

However, he pointed out the regulator had announced a wider investigation into cloud services in the UK.

From BBC

Several people were injured in an accident on California 99, and Pacific Gas & Electric reported outages for about 15,000 Fresno county residents as abnormally high winds kicked dust up into a menacing cloud.

From Los Angeles Times

Senior lawyer Kamini Jaiswal says Justice Chandrachud’s appointment had come at “a crucial juncture as some of the last chief justices had left under a cloud of dark spots and the position had been denigrated with serious allegations”.

From BBC

Logan later succeeded Lynam to front Champions League coverage on the station, before departing under what she described as a "cloud" when her job as a World Cup anchor was given to a male presenter instead.

From BBC

A satellite image showed a cloud of dust in a gully in the fjord.

From BBC

Related Words

• darkness
• fog
• gloom
• mist
• puff
• smog
• smoke
• steam
• vapor
• veil