cloud
♦ cloud /kl'aʊd/ (clouds clouding clouded)
1 [N-VAR]
A cloud is a mass of water vapour that floats in the sky. Clouds are usually white or grey in colour.
...the varied shapes of the clouds...
The sky was almost entirely obscured by cloud.
...the risks involved in flying through cloud.
2 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
A cloud of something such as smoke or dust is a mass of it floating in the air.
The hens darted away on all sides, raising a cloud of dust.
3 [VERB] V n, V n
If you say that something clouds your view of a situation, you mean that it makes you unable to understand the situation or judge it properly.
Perhaps anger had clouded his vision, perhaps his judgment had been faulty...
In his latter years religious mania clouded his mind.
4 [VERB] V n
If you say that something clouds a situation, you mean that it makes it unpleasant.
The atmosphere has already been clouded by the BJP's anger at the media.
5 [VERB] V, V n
If glass clouds or if moisture clouds it, tiny drops of water cover the glass, making it difficult to see through.
The mirror clouded beside her cheek...
I run the water very hot, clouding the mirror.
= mist
6 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
If you say that someone is on cloud nine, you are emphasizing that they are very happy. (INFORMAL)
When Michael was born I was on cloud nine.
7
every cloud has a silver lining: see silver liningcloud over
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If the sky clouds over, it becomes covered with clouds.
After a fine day, the sky had clouded over and suddenly rain lashed against the windows.
see also cloud 5mush|room cloud (mushroom clouds)
[N-COUNT]
A mushroom cloud is an extremely large cloud caused by a nuclear explosion.storm cloud (storm clouds)
also stormcloud
1 [N-COUNT] usu pl
Storm clouds are the dark clouds which are seen before a storm.
2 [N-COUNT] usu pl
You can use storm clouds to refer to a sign that something very unpleasant is going to happen. (FORMAL)
Over the past three weeks, the storm clouds have gathered again over the government.
1 [N-VAR]
A cloud is a mass of water vapour that floats in the sky. Clouds are usually white or grey in colour.
...the varied shapes of the clouds...
The sky was almost entirely obscured by cloud.
...the risks involved in flying through cloud.
2 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
A cloud of something such as smoke or dust is a mass of it floating in the air.
The hens darted away on all sides, raising a cloud of dust.
3 [VERB] V n, V n
If you say that something clouds your view of a situation, you mean that it makes you unable to understand the situation or judge it properly.
Perhaps anger had clouded his vision, perhaps his judgment had been faulty...
In his latter years religious mania clouded his mind.
4 [VERB] V n
If you say that something clouds a situation, you mean that it makes it unpleasant.
The atmosphere has already been clouded by the BJP's anger at the media.
5 [VERB] V, V n
If glass clouds or if moisture clouds it, tiny drops of water cover the glass, making it difficult to see through.
The mirror clouded beside her cheek...
I run the water very hot, clouding the mirror.
= mist
6 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
If you say that someone is on cloud nine, you are emphasizing that they are very happy. (INFORMAL)
When Michael was born I was on cloud nine.
7
every cloud has a silver lining: see silver liningcloud over
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If the sky clouds over, it becomes covered with clouds.
After a fine day, the sky had clouded over and suddenly rain lashed against the windows.
see also cloud 5mush|room cloud (mushroom clouds)
[N-COUNT]
A mushroom cloud is an extremely large cloud caused by a nuclear explosion.storm cloud (storm clouds)
also stormcloud
1 [N-COUNT] usu pl
Storm clouds are the dark clouds which are seen before a storm.
2 [N-COUNT] usu pl
You can use storm clouds to refer to a sign that something very unpleasant is going to happen. (FORMAL)
Over the past three weeks, the storm clouds have gathered again over the government.