cloud1 nouncloud2 verbcloud3 adjective
cloudcloud1 /klaʊd/ ●●● S3 W3 noun 
WORD ORIGINcloud1
Origin:
Old English clud ‘rock, hill’; because some clouds look like rocksEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a cloud of flies
- Dark clouds gathered overhead.
- Dense cloud prevented the rescue helicopter from taking off.
- The plane was unable to land due to strong winds and low cloud cover.
- There wasn't a single cloud in the sky.
- A band of cloud stretched low across the valley and it was raining slightly.
- Above shone the stars and the rings; below lay a dimly visible sea of clouds.
- All the buildings shook, and at the same time a forked tongue of flame burst upward through the cloud.
- As the road climbed upward, gray-white cloud veils drifted among the dales, chiffon scarves of some giant Isadora Duncan.
- If clouds ap-peared, the clock hid behind them.
- The sun was setting in a blaze of pink, casting rosy shadows on the undersides of large, wet-looking clouds.
- These clouds are unbroken, and never, for example, look like the billowy cumulus clouds of the Earth.
- Under dark, heavy clouds, I returned to the den on the river.
THESAURUS
noun [countable, uncountable] a white or grey mass in the sky that forms from very small drops of water: · The storm was still a way off but black clouds were gathering.· Thick cloud obscured the top of the hill.
noun [countable, uncountable] very thick cloud near the ground which is difficult to see through: · The cars crashed into each other in thick fog.· The fog had lifted (=disappeared)slightly.
noun [countable, uncountable] light cloud near the ground that makes it difficult for you to see very far. Mist is usually not as thick as fog. You often get mist near areas of water or mountains: · The morning mist was lifting and the sun was coming up.· A grey mist hung over the water.· The hills were shrouded in mist (=surrounded by mist).
noun [singular, uncountable] smoke, dust, or mist in the air which is difficult to see through: · He saw the horses coming towards him through a haze of dust.· The road shimmered in the heat haze.· A pale blue haze hung over the far-off mountains.
noun [countable, uncountable] dirty air that looks like a mixture of smoke and fog, caused by smoke from cars and factories in cities: · The city is covered in smog for much of the year.· A smog warning was issued for parts of Southern Oregon.
noun [countable] a large dark cloud that you see before or during a storm: · He watched the thunderclouds roll across the valley.
British English, vapor trail American English noun [countable] the white line that is left in the sky by a plane: · High overhead, a jet left its vapour trail across the blue sky.
Longman Language Activatorcloudy if the weather is cloudy , there are a lot of clouds in the sky: · You can still get sunburnt on a cloudy day.
if the weather is dull , it is cloudy and there is no sunshine: · It will be dry but dull this morning, with the possibility of showers later in the day.
also gray American especially written cloudy and not at all bright: · It was a grey winter morning.
if the sky is overcast , it is very cloudy and dark, and there will probably be rain: · The sky was overcast, and a light rain began to fall.
a white or grey mass in the sky that rain falls from: · There wasn't a single cloud in the sky.thick/dense cloud: · Dense cloud prevented the rescue helicopter from taking off.
thick cloudy air near the ground that is very difficult to see through: the fog: · I could just make out a dim figure coming towards me in the fog.patch of fog: · Watch out for patches of fog in low-lying areas.thick/dense fog: · Dense fog is making driving conditions difficult on many roads.the fog lifts/clears (=it goes away): · The fog has almost cleared - our plane will be able to take off soon
wet light cloud near the ground, which is difficult to see through clearly: · A light mist lay in the valley.· The mist along the river banks had gone by mid-morning.shrouded/veiled in mist (=be covered in mist): · From Primrose Hill, London looked like a ruined city shrouded in mist.
WORD SETSbackwater, nounbank, nounbank, verbbare, adjectivebarrier reef, nounbay, nounbayou, nounbeach, nounbeck, nounbelt, nounbillow, nounbiting, adjectivebitter, adjectiveblack ice, nounblast, nounblazing, adjectivebleach, verbblizzard, nounblow, verbblowy, adjectivebluff, nounbluster, verbblustery, adjectivebog, nounboiling, adjectiveboulder, nounbracing, adjectivebreaker, nounbreeze, nounbreezy, adjectivebrook, nounbrush, nounbrushwood, nounburn, nounbutte, nouncanyon, nouncascade, nouncataract, nouncave, nouncavern, nounchange, verbchasm, nounchoppy, adjectiveclap, nounclear, verbclement, adjectivecliff, nouncloud, nouncloudburst, nouncloudy, adjectivecoast, nouncoastal, adjectivecoastline, nouncone, nouncopse, nouncountry, nouncranny, nouncrater, nouncreation, nouncreep, verbcrisp, adjectivecrosswind, nouncumulus, nouncyclone, noundale, noundell, noundense, adjectivedew, noundewdrop, noundewfall, noundewy, adjectivedisgorge, verbdog days, noundownpour, noundownriver, adverbdownstream, adverbdownwind, adverbdrift, verbdrift, noundriftwood, noundrizzle, noundrop, verbdrop, noundrought, noundry, adjectivedry land, noundull, adjectivedune, nounduster, noundust storm, nouneast, adjectiveeddy, nounelectrical storm, nounequable, adjectiveeye, nounface, nounfail, verbfair, adjectivefall, nounfell, nounfen, nounfield, nounfierce, adjectivefiord, nounfirth, nounfjord, nounflood, verbflood, nounflood tide, nounflotsam, nounflow, nounflow, verbflower, nounflurry, nounfog, nounfogbound, adjectivefoggy, adjectivefoothill, nounfoothold, nounford, nounforeshore, nounforest, nounfoul, adjectivefreak, adjectivefreeze, nounfresh, adjectivefreshen, verbfreshwater, adjectivefrost, nounfury, noungale, noungale force, adjectivegap, noungentle, adjectivegeyser, nounglacial, adjectiveglen, noungnarled, adjectivegrassy, adjectivegreen, adjectivegreenery, nounground, nounground level, noungulley, noungully, noungust, noungust, verbgusty, adjectivehail, nounhailstone, nounhailstorm, nounhaze, nounheadwind, nounheath, nounheather, nounheat wave, nounhigh tide, nounhigh water, nounhill, nounhillock, nounhillside, nounhill station, nounhilly, adjectivehoarfrost, nounhot spring, nounhummock, nounhurricane, nounice, nouniceberg, nounice cap, nouninclement, adjectiveincline, nounIndian summer, nouninland, adjectiveinland, adverbinlet, nouninshore, adverbisland, nounisle, nounislet, nounjetsam, nounjungle, nounknoll, nounlake, nounlakeside, adjectiveledge, nounlightning, nounlip, nounloch, nounlough, nounlow tide, nounlow water, nounmarshland, nounmeadow, nounmere, nounmild, adjectivemillpond, nounmire, nounmist, nounmisty, adjectivemoan, verbmoan, nounmonsoon, nounmoonless, adjectivemoor, nounmoorland, nounMother Nature, nounmound, nounmountain, nounmountainous, adjectivemountainside, nounmountaintop, nounmouth, nounmudflat, nounmull, nounmurmur, verbmurmur, nounnarrows, nounnestle, verbnew moon, nounnook, nounnorth, adjectivenortheast, adjectivenortheaster, nounnortheasterly, adjectivenortherly, adjectivenorthwest, adjectivenorthwester, nounnorthwesterly, adjectivenotch, nounoasis, nounonshore, adjectiveooze, nounoutcrop, nounovercast, adjectiveozone, nounpack ice, nounpalisade, nounpanorama, nounparch, verbparched, adjectivepass, nounpatchy, adjectivepeak, nounpeal, nounpeasouper, nounpebble, nounpelt, verbpenumbra, nounperishing, adjectivepinewood, nounpinnacle, nounpitiless, adjectivepond, nounpour, verbprecipice, nounprospect, nounpuddle, nounquicksand, nounradiate, verbraging, adjectiverain, nounrainbow, nounrain drop, nounrainfall, nounrainstorm, nounrainwater, nounrainy, adjectiverange, nounrapids, nounrarefied, adjectiveravine, nounraw, adjectiverecede, verbreedy, adjectivereef, nounreservoir, nounridge, nounrift, nounrime, nounrise, verbrise, nounrock, nounrocky, adjectiveroll, verbrolling, adjectiverough, adjectiverural, adjectivescenery, nounscud, verbsea breeze, nounsea mist, nounset, verbshore, nounsky, nounslope, nounsludge, nounsnow, nounsnowbound, adjectivesnow-capped, adjectivesnowdrift, nounsnowfall, nounsnowflake, nounsnowstorm, nounsnowy, adjectivesouth, adjectivesoutheast, adjectivesoutheaster, nounsoutheasterly, adjectivesoutherly, adjectivesouthwest, adjectivesouthwesterly, adjectivespinney, nounspring, nounstream, nounsullen, adjectivesultry, adjectivesummer, nounsummit, nounsun, nounsundown, nounsun-drenched, adjectivesunrise, nounsunset, nounsunshine, nounswamp, nounsweep, verbswollen, adjectivetempestuous, adjectivethaw, verbthaw, nounthicket, nounthin, adjectivethunder, verbthunderbolt, nounthunderstorm, nounthundery, adjectivetide, nountreeless, adjectivetree-lined, adjectivetrough, nounturf, nountussock, nountwilight, nounvale, nounvalley, nounverdant, adjectivevisibility, nounvoid, nounwashout, nounwater, nounwatercourse, nounwaterfall, nounwaterside, nounwaterspout, nounwax, verbwest, adjectivewest, adverbwestbound, adjectivewesterly, adjectivewesternmost, adjectivewestward, adverbwet, adjectivewhirlpool, nounwhirlwind, nounwhite horses, nounwhitewater, nounwild, adjectivewill o' the wisp, nounwind, nounwindstorm, nounwindswept, adjectivewindy, adjectivewood, nounwooded, adjectivewoodland, nounwoodsy, adjectivewoody, adjectivezephyr, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYADJECTIVES/NOUN + cloud
the canyon’s impressive rock formations Storm clouds were gathering so we hurried home. Storm clouds are gathering over the trade negotiations.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· Black clouds usually mean rain.
(=a black or grey cloud)· A dark cloud covered the sun.
· There was a bright blue sky with a few white clouds.
(also dense cloud formal)· By midday, heavy clouds had spread across the sky.
· The weather was overcast, with heavy low clouds.
· Dark storm clouds were moving in from the Atlantic.
· The sky had been full of rain clouds for days.
phrases (=a large block of cloud)· A heavy bank of cloud was creeping across the sky.
· The moon was shining through a thin layer of cloud.
(=long thin pieces)· The plane flew through occasional wisps of cloud.
(=a long narrow area)· Long narrow bands of cloud stretched across the valley.
(=a thick layer)· In the morning, a blanket of cloud still covered the country.
(=a thin layer)· A thin veil of cloud hid the moon.
verbs· The sky had darkened and clouds had gathered.
· For days thick cloud had covered the whole sky.
(=disappear)· At last the rain had stopped and the clouds had cleared.
(=move away from each other)· Suddenly the clouds that covered the moon parted.
· A narrow band of cloud has been moving across the country.
(=move slowly)· A few clouds drifted across the top of the mountains.
(=move quickly)· A wind was blowing and soft clouds were scudding across the sky.
· Heavy grey clouds hung low in the sky.
cloud + NOUN· The cloud cover should disappear by the afternoon.
(=the shape in which cloud forms)· There are many different types of cloud formation.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES the canyon’s impressive rock formations Storm clouds were gathering so we hurried home. (=make an issue more difficult to understand or deal with than it needs to be)· You must not let your feelings cloud the issue.
· Thick black rain clouds massed in the sky.
(=clouds appear)· The sky was beginning to cloud over.
(=a large amount)· He lit a cigarette and blew out a cloud of smoke.
· We could see storm clouds in the distance.
Storm clouds are gathering over the trade negotiations.· Huge, black clouds rushed on the horizon.· I leave the gym, enveloped in a thick black cloud of despair.· Afterwards, a huge black cloud of acrid smoke rose hundreds of feet above the town.· A black flotilla of clouds rose towering over the mountains and advanced on the house.· Darkness had come prematurely with the deluge, the gloom summoned early by such an abundance of black cloud.· A turbulent black cloud like a rumpled sheet seemed to descend from heaven.· Rain swilled and foamed in its open mouth as it looked at the churning black clouds and the eruptions of fractured lightning.· The black cloud returned to the screen as if it had followed them.
· And that wasn't the only dark cloud on the horizon.· And those bushy eyebrows that resembled dark clouds on his horizon.-How come?· A dark cloud floated across the moon.· We were bumping along a dirt road when a storm gathered dark clouds above us.· It was like a dark foreboding cloud that settled on every aspect of my personality.· It grows to be a small dark cloud of purpose, opaque with life.· The sign to fasten seat-belts lit up in front of him. Dark clouds enveloped the aircraft and it began to bump through them.· A dark cloud rolls lazily towards her in the sky.
· It flings its fine hairs in the face of the assailant, in a dense cloud.· The Magellan radar-mapping mission was designed to penetrate the dense cloud layer and return detailed radar images of the surface geology.· Standard polyurethane foam ignites rapidly, forming dense clouds of smoke and toxic vapour as it does so.· The acacia grove, like a dense cloud, became a dark backdrop for her.· The wind began to pick up strongly; dense grey clouds skidded across the sky.· It appears that the Leonids contain a dense cloud of dust released during recent stressful passages of comet Tempel-Tuttle by the Sun.· This shop is surely an outpost of hell, with its oppressive heat and dense clouds of smoke.· Dark clouds rolled over denser, thicker clouds and merged with them.
· There's a great cloud of smoke.· Wherever it was, the entrance to it was a great gate of clouds kept by the Seasons.· More and more men were transformed by the mutating power of the great clouds of Chaos magic drifting from the poles.· Where the bombs had landed would be great clouds of dust.· There was a great black cloud hovering over her head.· It subsided in a great cloud of dust.· Their swords and spears flashed, and a great cloud of arrows came flying, so that the air was black with them.· At last they came to the topmost ridge of the mountain, and there lay a great field of cloud ahead of them.
· Grown men buckle under the fear that these relentless, dancing grey clouds bring.· But the very humiliation of being summoned turned the grey clouds over her veracity into a full thunderstorm.· Though the steady march of grey clouds, a tiny square of blue emerges.· The grey clouds that had prevailed that morning began to break up, promising a fine afternoon.· The day was bright and windy and low grey fluffy clouds raced across the thin sun.· Wisps of high grey cloud scarcely moved behind the copper beech.· The sky was low and constantly shifting as different layers of grey and black cloud were dragged around by gusty winds.
· Under dark, heavy clouds, I returned to the den on the river.· Looking northwards towards the end of the dale, she frowned to see the accumulation of heavy clouds above the moors.· During June and July, heavy cloud may at times build up and the weather can become very humid.· But towards morning heavy clouds spread across.· Dark heavy clouds were crawling across the sky, blotting out the stars.· Shadows of light passed across the high windows, heavy, low clouds moving by outside.· The heavy clouds that had gathered about the summit of Mont Blanc boiled from within.· While they slept, heavy clouds swirled over the valley in massed ranks and the snow began to fall.
· Closer yet, and the clustered spires of each hive soar from the wastes of ash to pierce the highest clouds.· There may be some high clouds drifting by during the afternoon.· Maybe we shall have one of those text book days of gentle ripple, high cloud and blue sky.· There was a high cloud cover.· There was a high wind and clouds scudded across the blue sky and when the sun was obscured the wind seemed cold.· On either side of each barrier it leaves similar pockets of high and low cloud cover, of arid and lush terrain.· I floated high on clouds, not of golden daffodils but of fantasies.· Contentment filled her and she watched the high white clouds.
· Afterwards, a huge black cloud of acrid smoke rose hundreds of feet above the town.· It begins churning ahead, blowing huge clouds of spray from its spout, and generating great foam in its wake.· You see it on telly, it goes down in sections and crumples in a huge cloud of dust.· The fire sent up a huge cloud of smoke visible from San Francisco, 40 miles to the south.· For an hour huge cloud came and covered sun.· By evening a huge cloud of smoke began to rise from the scene, but it came from a barbecue pit.
· Once it entered low mountain cloud, production of acids increased 14-fold and fallout increased over 200 percent.· However, cloud conditions in Florida are expected to worsen after Friday, with low clouds and rain showers likely.· To compound the problem, drizzle and low cloud was firmly entrenched in the area.· Clearing conditions were forecast behind the cold front that dragged low clouds through Central Florida early Friday.· The control tower staff saw the aircraft making a sharp left-hand climbing turn before it disappeared into thick low cloud.· On either side of each barrier it leaves similar pockets of high and low cloud cover, of arid and lush terrain.· On a bill just ahead, the last of a broken Franciscan monastery, its dome of low cloud smeared in grey.· Then flames burst from an upper window of the abandoned tenement a mile away across the river, reddening the low clouds.
· One moment the sky is clear - then, on the horizon, one small insignificant cloud.· It grows to be a small dark cloud of purpose, opaque with life.· Next, look up at the blue sky - and notice a small, dark cloud drifting past.· He put his head next to mine, as we looked up at the few small, dappled clouds.· Some say the sweat steamed from its back in small grey clouds.· There was a small pinkish-white cloud of waste-dust that rose up from it.· He became aware of the wind getting up a little more, sending the small clouds scudding across the face of the moon.· Asik heard a rumbling noise and he could just see a small cloud of dust appearing in the distance.
· The control tower staff saw the aircraft making a sharp left-hand climbing turn before it disappeared into thick low cloud.· The sun was down, but there was still light buried in the thick clouds patrolling the sky.· On approaching the high ground before the Alps themselves we all encountered thick cloud, despite the season, and icing.· By morning thick clouds drift over, but the sky between them is deep blue and occasionally the sun peeks through.· A thick cloud of mosquitoes had arrived on time and soon settled on everything and everybody.· Dark clouds rolled over denser, thicker clouds and merged with them.· Unfortunately the fireworks must have seeded the thick clouds overhead because it absolutely poured with rain, and we got soaked.· It was like walking into a thick cloud.
· As they approach London they let down through the shining white floor of cloud into a dull grey light.· We were to imagine a beautiful, white cloud gently touching our faces.· Then I became aware that the bank of white clouds beyond was in reality the great ice-cap of Vatnajökull.· Alice stole one long drink before rolling over in the boundless bed, fantasizing it as an endless beach of white cloud.· Great white clouds rolled above us, tumbling over the mountain summit as if eager to find quieter air.· Her face was a pile of white cloud afire with red hair.· Contentment filled her and she watched the high white clouds.· I stood on that porch listening to the silence, watching the white clouds in the dark blue summer sky.
NOUN· The temperature rises with the cloud cover, and the snow underfoot becomes wet and soft, making progress difficult and tiring.· Wind currents and cloud cover always played havoc with our helicopters.· Crop yields would fall as a result of shorter growing periods, and reduced solar radiation due to heavier cloud cover.· And he heard now, from another direction, up above the cloud cover, a 28.· Long periods of cloud cover hindered data acquisition during the 1991-92 summer period.· The day was hot and there was no cloud cover at all.· The cloud cover as well as the atmospheric conditions are precisely defined.· There was considerable cloud cover, but he could still detect the blue-green out-lines of the Gold Coast.
· At the edge of the plain a new dust cloud hovered.· Although park emergency systems were mobilized immediately, the dust cloud prevented an immediate search, then darkness made it impossible.· The dust cloud was closer now: about half a verst away.· The dust cloud begins to smear out along the orbit of the comet.· This was followed last year by the announcement that diamonds have been found in dust clouds surrounding forming stars.· From the watchtowers a dust cloud is spied on the horizon.
· Some theorists even believe that solar wind particles hitting the atmosphere may trigger cloud formation.· Mountains stretched as far as my eyes could see, until the next cloud formation.· However, a minority of features may be the result of waves which influence cloud formation as they move through the atmosphere.
· A heavy overcast like a poison gas cloud was stationary over the battered city.
· Some amyl too, which blew Jed's head up like a mushroom cloud.· Dust is raised by near-surface bursts and lifted to high altitudes by the mushroom cloud.· Sandro Botticelli s chart of hell is like a mushroom cloud or a child s spinning top.· They raise horrendous amounts of dust, which is carried by the rising mushroom clouds into the stratosphere.· But atomic power to my generation always means that mushroom cloud.
· Black rain clouds were scudding in over the Thames.· Outside, the rain clouds were gone, and the white, bony moon was full.· Air turbulence may also be associated with rain clouds.· Crossing high and fast above the plains, headed else-where, you are doing what rain clouds tend to do.· Black rain clouds were riding up from the south, killing the light and making the day seem almost over.· Finally, I could feel the turbulence pass like a battering rain cloud moving on.· The sky looked like one massive mottled rain cloud.· Dark rain clouds hung low over the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.
· But a storm cloud hovered on the horizon.· I saw the storm clouds approaching.· Her teased black hair surrounded her like a storm cloud.· And out in the world, new storm clouds were gathering.· But suddenly the storm clouds are gathering.· Up ahead, in North Dakota, storm clouds came all the way down to the ground like an overhead garage door.· Animation is fair, but the scene where the dragon flies into a storm cloud and is electrocuted is positively brain-bending!· Walls a saturated sky blue, broken by gray the color of storm clouds.
VERB· High above, the birds wheeled and dipped in the wind that blew the clouds across the huge sky.· It begins churning ahead, blowing huge clouds of spray from its spout, and generating great foam in its wake.· Shifting winds blew clouds of spray over the rocks, trees, and shrubs until they seemed to be sheathed in alabaster.
· The late morning sun was beginning to break through the clouds.· When the sun broke through the cloud, she felt exalted.· Now, one characteristic shines like a beacon in a storm, like the sun breaking through clouds.· And there were those glorious sunrises in flight, breaking through the clouds.· But by the time they finished, the snow stopped and the sun broke through the clouds.
· Armagh's injury worries cast a cloud over their preparations and Fermanagh could mount a smash and grab raid this time.· Nice touches include steam vents that cast lingering clouds over the courses and new audio cues to warn of danger.· The housing directory will help bridge this gap - although the proposed legal aid cuts do cast a cloud over this.
· It glittered eerily for a second and exploded, forming a cloud of tinsel.· Methane condenses to form a cloud layer above the ammonia clouds, leaving a gas that is almost entirely hydrogen and helium.· Standard polyurethane foam ignites rapidly, forming dense clouds of smoke and toxic vapour as it does so.· Several different atmospheric constituents can form clouds in the Jovian atmosphere.· But this year, it has finally decided to flower profusely, forming brownish clouds which drift hazily over the bush.
· We were bumping along a dirt road when a storm gathered dark clouds above us.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► be/live in cloud-cuckoo-land► the cloud► every cloud has a silver liningPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► have your head in the clouds
1- According to the researchers, the new cell actually works better under cloud cover than in full sunlight.
- Decades of wallpaper peeling under clouds of dust.
- For all these reasons wooden aeroplanes are under a cloud at the moment.
- He passes away under a cloud, inscrutable at heart, forgotten, unforgiven, and excessively romantic.
- Not only must they care for distressed and disturbed young people, but they must do so under a cloud.
- Sometimes the pressure we were under clouded our judgment.
- The sight of these two storming along under a cloud of canvas is enough to stir the blood of most landlubbers.
- We argued about it, and when I left, I left under a cloud.
- Adam was on cloud nine after the birth of his son.
- I recognised it right away, and I was on Cloud Nine.
- And Dexter tried to calm his faint resentment against her for casting a shadow over his optimistic mood.
- Armagh's injury worries cast a cloud over their preparations and Fermanagh could mount a smash and grab raid this time.
- But even should he reappear tomorrow looking hale and hearty, his long absence will have cast a shadow over his position.
- But this has cast a shadow over the College.
- It can not be denied, however, that Ramsey's death cast a shadow over all our activities.
- Show jeopardy: Langbaurgh's budget economies have cast a shadow over the future of East Cleveland's annual show.
- They cast a shadow over his meeting yesterday in the state capital, Chandigarh.
- Without the money ... it could cast a shadow over the future of student theatre in Oxford.
- But towards morning heavy clouds spread across.
- Dark heavy clouds were crawling across the sky, blotting out the stars.
- Looking northwards towards the end of the dale, she frowned to see the accumulation of heavy clouds above the moors.
- The heavy clouds that had gathered about the summit of Mont Blanc boiled from within.
- Under dark, heavy clouds, I returned to the den on the river.
- While they slept, heavy clouds swirled over the valley in massed ranks and the snow began to fall.
- The moon was hidden under a veil of clouds, and there was not a breath of wind.
- Whose light retires behind its veil of cloud.
in the sky [countable, uncountable] a white or grey mass in the sky that forms from very small drops of waterheavy/thick/dense etc clouds Dark clouds floated across the moon. Heavy clouds had gathered over the summit of Mont Blanc.low/high cloud Visibility was bad due to low cloud. → storm cloud, thundercloud2in the air [countable] a mass of dust, smoke etc in the air, or a large number of insects flying togethercloud of dust/smoke/gas etc A cloud of steam rose into the air. clouds of mosquitoes buzzing around us3problem [countable] something that makes you feel afraid, worried, unhappy etccloud of the cloud of economic recessioncloud on the horizon (=something that might spoil a happy situation) The only cloud on the horizon was her mother’s illness. Fears of renewed terrorist attacks cast a cloud over the event (=spoilt the happy situation). He returned to New York under a cloud of gloom and despair.4under a cloud (of suspicion) informal if someone is under a cloud, people have a bad opinion of them because they think they have done something wrong: He left the company under a cloud of suspicion.5be on cloud nine informal to be very happy about something6every cloud has a silver lining used to say that there is something good even in a situation that seems very sad or difficult7be/live in cloud-cuckoo-land British English to think that a situation is much better than it really is, in a way that is slightly stupid8the cloud technical the Internet used as something that provides software or space for storing information, rather than having it on your own computer: They offer a variety of services in the cloud. → have your head in the clouds at head1(24)COLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + clouda black/grey cloud· Black clouds usually mean rain.a dark cloud (=a black or grey cloud)· A dark cloud covered the sun.a white cloud· There was a bright blue sky with a few white clouds.heavy/thick cloud (also dense cloud formal)· By midday, heavy clouds had spread across the sky.low/high cloud· The weather was overcast, with heavy low clouds.storm clouds· Dark storm clouds were moving in from the Atlantic.rain clouds· The sky had been full of rain clouds for days.phrasesa bank/mass of cloud (=a large block of cloud)· A heavy bank of cloud was creeping across the sky.a layer of cloud· The moon was shining through a thin layer of cloud.wisps of cloud (=long thin pieces)· The plane flew through occasional wisps of cloud.a band of cloud (=a long narrow area)· Long narrow bands of cloud stretched across the valley.a blanket of cloud (=a thick layer)· In the morning, a blanket of cloud still covered the country.a veil of cloud (=a thin layer)· A thin veil of cloud hid the moon.verbsclouds gather/form· The sky had darkened and clouds had gathered.clouds cover something· For days thick cloud had covered the whole sky.clouds clear/lift (=disappear)· At last the rain had stopped and the clouds had cleared.clouds part (=move away from each other)· Suddenly the clouds that covered the moon parted.clouds move/roll· A narrow band of cloud has been moving across the country.clouds drift/float (=move slowly)· A few clouds drifted across the top of the mountains.clouds race/scud (=move quickly)· A wind was blowing and soft clouds were scudding across the sky.clouds hang· Heavy grey clouds hung low in the sky.cloud + NOUNcloud cover· The cloud cover should disappear by the afternoon.cloud formation (=the shape in which cloud forms)· There are many different types of cloud formation.THESAURUScloud noun [countable, uncountable] a white or grey mass in the sky that forms from very small drops of water: · The storm was still a way off but black clouds were gathering.· Thick cloud obscured the top of the hill.fog noun [countable, uncountable] very thick cloud near the ground which is difficult to see through: · The cars crashed into each other in thick fog.· The fog had lifted (=disappeared)slightly.mist noun [countable, uncountable] light cloud near the ground that makes it difficult for you to see very far. Mist is usually not as thick as fog. You often get mist near areas of water or mountains: · The morning mist was lifting and the sun was coming up.· A grey mist hung over the water.· The hills were shrouded in mist (=surrounded by mist).haze noun [singular, uncountable] smoke, dust, or mist in the air which is difficult to see through: · He saw the horses coming towards him through a haze of dust.· The road shimmered in the heat haze.· A pale blue haze hung over the far-off mountains.smog noun [countable, uncountable] dirty air that looks like a mixture of smoke and fog, caused by smoke from cars and factories in cities: · The city is covered in smog for much of the year.· A smog warning was issued for parts of Southern Oregon.thundercloud noun [countable] a large dark cloud that you see before or during a storm: · He watched the thunderclouds roll across the valley.vapour trail British English, vapor trail American English noun [countable] the white line that is left in the sky by a plane: · High overhead, a jet left its vapour trail across the blue sky.cloud1 nouncloud2 verbcloud3 adjective
cloudcloud2 verb VERB TABLE
cloud
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | it | clouds |
| Present | cloud | |
| Past | it, they | clouded |
| Present perfect | they | have clouded |
| it | has clouded | |
| Past perfect | it, they | had clouded |
| Future | it, they | will cloud |
| Future perfect | it, they | will have clouded |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | they | are clouding |
| it | is clouding | |
| Past | they | were clouding |
| it | was clouding | |
| Present perfect | they | have been clouding |
| it | has been clouding | |
| Past perfect | it, they | had been clouding |
| Future | it, they | will be clouding |
| Future perfect | it, they | will have been clouding |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Alcohol had clouded his judgment.
- His face clouded when he saw her.
- The decision to put a parent in a nursing home can be clouded by guilt.
- The display cases were clouded with dust.
- The team's victory was clouded by the tragic events in their hometown.
- Bethany poised over the bed, a slight abstract frown clouding her face.
- But her happiness is clouded by having to leave daughter Amber behind.
- But images of the period are shrouded in myth and clouded by partisan rhetoric.
- However, the shadow of war was beginning to cloud the cricket world.
- The fact that you have enjoyed a few jars together will not cloud a journalist's judgement.
- When I got back to the cabin the sky had started to cloud over.
Longman Language Activatorto make something unclear
to make a situation unclear by making it more complicated: · The instructions just confused me even more.· The Press Secretary gave a completely different version of events, which greatly confused the situation.confuse matters further (=make things more confused): · I think my explanation only confused matters further.
to make the difference between two ideas or subjects unclear: · The difference between male and female roles within the house has become blurred.· The show blurs the difference between education and entertainment.· His novels tend to blur the distinctions between reality and fantasy.
to make a subject or problem unclear by bringing in ideas, information, etc that are not really connected with it: · The Supreme Court's latest decision has only clouded the issue of gun control.· I'm talking about social problems. My opponent is just confusing the issue when he keeps referring to family values.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Don’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgement. Fear had clouded his vision.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES the canyon’s impressive rock formations Storm clouds were gathering so we hurried home. Storm clouds are gathering over the trade negotiations.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
Don’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgement. Fear had clouded his vision. the canyon’s impressive rock formations Storm clouds were gathering so we hurried home. (=make an issue more difficult to understand or deal with than it needs to be)· You must not let your feelings cloud the issue.
· Thick black rain clouds massed in the sky.
(=clouds appear)· The sky was beginning to cloud over.
(=a large amount)· He lit a cigarette and blew out a cloud of smoke.
· We could see storm clouds in the distance.
Storm clouds are gathering over the trade negotiations.· But his mind had clouded over again at the wrong moment and now it was too late.· Her eyes clouded over for a second, but even then all was not lost.· For a moment his eyes looked at her beseechingly, then they clouded over and were vacant.· When I got back to the cabin the sky had started to cloud over.· Daylight broke, a stiff breeze struck up and the sky clouded over.· Toward late afternoon, a strong wind came up and the sky clouded over.· When he tried to speak his eye fluttered shut and then sprang open again, that bright red persimmon clouding over.
NOUN· His face clouded again at the thought.· He frowned, and the handsome face clouded momentarily, petulant as a child's.
· The failure of the talks held in Geneva at the end of September has clouded the horizon and increased tensions.· New equipment and processes would never be tested in manufacturing environments; new strategies and theories would seldom cloud managerial horizons.
· The fact that you have enjoyed a few jars together will not cloud a journalist's judgement.· She had allowed her own feelings to cloud her judgement.· Wasn't he allowing his personal interests and prejudices to cloud his judgement?· It arises from too much enthusiasm clouding the judgement of those developing the new electronic products.· However, he warns that competition, especially in a recession, can cloud a company judgement.
· All sorts of doubts clouded my mind.· When Carpathia walks around clouding men's minds and portending dark futures, it is impossible not to think of Darth Vader.· Yet drink clouded his mind, and in his heart Cranston knew that Athelstan was right to disapprove.
· He told me that there are good people about and not to let this incident cloud my vision.· He had perhaps allowed hatred of the Hohenstaufer to cloud his vision.· If the sheer quantity of information about 1992 is clouding your vision, look no further for the silver lining.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► have your head in the clouds
1[transitive] to make someone less able to think clearly or make sensible decisionscloud somebody’s judgment/mind/vision etc- These comments should not be allowed to cloud the picture too much.
- And Dexter tried to calm his faint resentment against her for casting a shadow over his optimistic mood.
- Armagh's injury worries cast a cloud over their preparations and Fermanagh could mount a smash and grab raid this time.
- But even should he reappear tomorrow looking hale and hearty, his long absence will have cast a shadow over his position.
- But this has cast a shadow over the College.
- It can not be denied, however, that Ramsey's death cast a shadow over all our activities.
- Show jeopardy: Langbaurgh's budget economies have cast a shadow over the future of East Cleveland's annual show.
- They cast a shadow over his meeting yesterday in the state capital, Chandigarh.
- Without the money ... it could cast a shadow over the future of student theatre in Oxford.
- But towards morning heavy clouds spread across.
- Dark heavy clouds were crawling across the sky, blotting out the stars.
- Looking northwards towards the end of the dale, she frowned to see the accumulation of heavy clouds above the moors.
- The heavy clouds that had gathered about the summit of Mont Blanc boiled from within.
- Under dark, heavy clouds, I returned to the den on the river.
- While they slept, heavy clouds swirled over the valley in massed ranks and the snow began to fall.
- The moon was hidden under a veil of clouds, and there was not a breath of wind.
- Whose light retires behind its veil of cloud.
Don’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgement. Fear had clouded his vision.2[intransitive, transitive] (also cloud over) if someone’s face or eyes cloud, or if something clouds them, they start to look angry, sad, or worried: Ann’s eyes clouded with the pain. Then suspicion clouded his face.3[transitive] to make something less pleasant or more difficult than it should have been: Her happiness was clouded by having to leave her son behind.GRAMMAR Cloud is usually passive in this meaning.4cloud the issue/picture etc to make a subject or problem more difficult to understand or deal with, especially by introducing unnecessary ideas: Uninformed judgments only cloud the issue.5[intransitive, transitive] (also cloud up) if glass or a liquid clouds, or if something clouds it, it becomes less clear and more difficult to see through: windows clouded up with steam The water clouded and I could no longer see the river bed.6[transitive] to cover something with clouds: Thick mist clouded the mountain tops.cloud over phrasal verb1 (also cloud up American English) if the sky clouds over, it becomes dark and full of black clouds2if someone’s face or eyes cloud over, they start to look angry or sad: His face clouded over in disappointment.cloud1 nouncloud2 verbcloud3 adjective
cloudcloud3 adjective [only before noun] COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES the canyon’s impressive rock formations Storm clouds were gathering so we hurried home. Storm clouds are gathering over the trade negotiations.
the canyon’s impressive rock formations Storm clouds were gathering so we hurried home. (=make an issue more difficult to understand or deal with than it needs to be)· You must not let your feelings cloud the issue.
· Thick black rain clouds massed in the sky.
(=clouds appear)· The sky was beginning to cloud over.
(=a large amount)· He lit a cigarette and blew out a cloud of smoke.
· We could see storm clouds in the distance.
Storm clouds are gathering over the trade negotiations.PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► have your head in the clouds
using or related to cloud computing: - And Dexter tried to calm his faint resentment against her for casting a shadow over his optimistic mood.
- Armagh's injury worries cast a cloud over their preparations and Fermanagh could mount a smash and grab raid this time.
- But even should he reappear tomorrow looking hale and hearty, his long absence will have cast a shadow over his position.
- But this has cast a shadow over the College.
- It can not be denied, however, that Ramsey's death cast a shadow over all our activities.
- Show jeopardy: Langbaurgh's budget economies have cast a shadow over the future of East Cleveland's annual show.
- They cast a shadow over his meeting yesterday in the state capital, Chandigarh.
- Without the money ... it could cast a shadow over the future of student theatre in Oxford.
- But towards morning heavy clouds spread across.
- Dark heavy clouds were crawling across the sky, blotting out the stars.
- Looking northwards towards the end of the dale, she frowned to see the accumulation of heavy clouds above the moors.
- The heavy clouds that had gathered about the summit of Mont Blanc boiled from within.
- Under dark, heavy clouds, I returned to the den on the river.
- While they slept, heavy clouds swirled over the valley in massed ranks and the snow began to fall.
- The moon was hidden under a veil of clouds, and there was not a breath of wind.
- Whose light retires behind its veil of cloud.
cloud storage of data