English Profile

cover · verb T

/ˈkʌv.ər/Full view

Word family

Nouns: cover, coverage

Adjectives: undercover

Verbs: cover, uncover

cover (PUT)

A2 to put something over something else, in order to protect or hide it

Dictionary examples:

The light was so bright that I had to cover my eyes.

She covered him (up) with a blanket.

Learner example:

Bring a cap or somet[h]ing to cover your hair. (Key English Test; A2; Bengali)

cover (LAYER)

B1 to form a layer on the surface of something

Dictionary examples:

Snow covered the hillside.

Cover the pasta with a layer of sauce.

The bandages were covered with/in blood.

Learner example:

The hills are covered by the snow. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Czech)

cover (DEAL WITH)

B1 to deal with or include a subject or piece of information

Dictionary examples:

This leaflet covers what we've just discussed in more detail.

The book covers European history from 1789 to 1914.

Learner example:

Dear Teacher, I'm sorry but I won't be able to go to the English class tomorrow. But I can go another day to cover the work I've missed. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

cover (DISTANCE)

B2 to travel a particular distance

Dictionary example:

We covered 150 miles in four days.

Learner example:

I'm not even sure if I [can] manage to cover 60 km. I agree with Chris completely, it will be too difficult. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

cover (AREA)

B2 to be a particular size or area

Dictionary example:

The town covers an area of 5 square miles.

Learner example:

The other suggestion is the flower market, wh[ich] is very famous for tourists because it covers 2 acres and there are plenty of flowers to buy. (First Certificate in English; B2; Thai)

cover (REPORT)

C1 to report the news about a particular important event

Dictionary example:

She's covering the US election for BBC television.

Learner example:

Should you have your company's channel cover the [event], your profits from the advertis[e]ments will be innumerable. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

cover (FINANCIAL PROTECTION)

C1 to provide financial protection if something bad happens

Dictionary example:

travel insurance that covers accident and injury

cover (MONEY)

C1 to be enough money to pay for something

Dictionary example:

One hundred dollars should cover the cost of the repairs.

Learner example:

This means that only 15% was [allocat]ed to cover the cost of entertainment and administration costs. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Catalan)

cover sth up or cover up sth

C1 to put something over something else, in order to protect or hide it

Dictionary example:

We used a picture to cover up a hole in the wall.

Learner example:

I've seen numerous black and white photographs of my grandparents in traditional Japanese kimonos, covering up their body parts as much as possible. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Japanese)

cover (sth) up or cover up (sth)

C2 to stop people from discovering the truth about something bad

Dictionary example:

She tried to cover up her mistakes.

Learner example:

Realizing too late that it was the wrong piece of music he was playing, he tried to cover it up, so the audience would not know he had made a mistake. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)

cover · noun

/ˈkʌv.ər/

Word family

Nouns: cover, coverage

Adjectives: undercover

Verbs: cover, uncover

cover (BOOK)

B1 C the outer part of a book, magazine, etc., that protects the pages

Dictionary example:

Her picture is on the cover of several magazines.

Learner example:

I received it for Christmas [in] 1991, and I immediately decided to write [my name and my address on] the cover. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

cover (PROTECTION)

B1 C something you put over something else, usually to protect it

Dictionary examples:

I keep my computer printer under a protective plastic cover.

an ironing board cover

cover (FINANCIAL)

C1 U financial protection so that you get money if something bad happens

Dictionary example:

The policy provides $150,000 accidental damage cover.

Learner example:

A mere 2% went on insurance cover. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Creole)

cover (FROM WEATHER/ATTACK)

C1 U protection from bad weather or an attack

Dictionary example:

They took cover under some trees until the rain stopped.

Learner example:

The bodyguards immediately reacted, shooting at the window through which Paul had fired, while the judge took cover under a near car. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)

not judge a book by its cover

C2 to not decide what someone or something is like only by looking at them

Dictionary example:

You know, his desk is a mess but don't judge a book by it's cover, he does careful, detailed work.

Learner example:

I'm simply pointing out one should never judge a book by it's cover as things aren't alway[s] what they seem. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)