coat
coat
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling of coat is /koʊt/.
The word "coat" is monosyllabic (has one syllable). Its sounds can be broken down as follows:
c (/k/): The initial consonant sound, a voiceless puff of air made at the back of the mouth, as in "cat" or "kite".
oa (/oʊ/): The middle vowel sound, which is a diphthong. It starts with a sound similar to the 'o' in "hope" and glides toward the 'oo' sound in "boot".
t (/t/): The final consonant sound, a voiceless tap made by the tip of the tongue against the ridge behind the upper front teeth, as in "top".
Word Form Variations
Noun (singular): coat
Noun (plural): coats
Verb (base): coat
Verb (present): coats
Verb (past): coated
Verb (participle): coated
Gerund: coating
Adjective: coated, coatless
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
An outer garment worn over other clothing, typically for warmth or fashion.
Synonyms: jacket, overcoat, parka, cloak, blazer
Antonyms: (none)
The natural covering of fur, hair, or wool on an animal's body.
Synonyms: fur, pelt, fleece, hide
Antonyms: skin, bareness
A layer of a substance applied to and covering a surface.
Synonyms: layer, covering, film, veneer, varnish
Antonyms: core, base, substrate
Verb
To cover a surface with a layer of some substance.
Synonyms: cover, spread, apply, paint, glaze, veneer
Antonyms: strip, bare, uncover, scrape
Examples of Use
Here are several real-world examples of the use of the word coat.
In Literature
The word is often used to describe clothing that sets a scene or defines a character. In C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the coats in the wardrobe are a physical and symbolic gateway to another world:
"She... pushed the soft folds of the coats aside to make room for her. Then she noticed that there was something crunching under her feet." (C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, 1950)
In Journalism and Online Publications
News and lifestyle articles frequently use "coat" when discussing weather, fashion, or product reviews. As a noun, it refers to outerwear, and as a verb, it describes applying a layer.
As a Noun (Outerwear): "The Best Winter Coats. After testing 45 winter jackets and puffers since 2017, we have six warm, stylish, and durable coats we recommend." (The New York Times, January 2024)
As a Verb (To Cover): "Once the primer is dry, coat the walls with two layers of your chosen paint color, allowing for adequate drying time between each application." (Real Simple)
In Entertainment
From iconic film costumes to memorable song lyrics, "coat" appears across various media.
Film: The "girl in the red coat" in the film Schindler's List is a famous and poignant cinematic symbol, representing a single, vivid spot of innocence amidst the monochrome horror of the Holocaust.
Music: Dolly Parton's autobiographical song "Coat of Many Colors" tells the story of a patchwork coat her mother made for her, turning a symbol of poverty into one of pride and love.
"My coat of many colors / That my momma made for me / Made only from rags / But I wore it so proudly." (Dolly Parton, "Coat of Many Colors," 1971)
In Public Discourse
In everyday conversation and common idioms, "coat" is used in both its literal and metaphorical senses.
As an Idiom: The saying "cut your coat according to your cloth" is a well-known piece of advice meaning one should live within their financial means.
Describing an Animal: A common way to compliment a pet's health is to comment on its fur, for example: "The veterinarian said my dog's shiny coat is a good sign of a healthy diet."
Everyday Instruction: A simple, common phrase used daily in many parts of the world is: "Don't forget your coat! It looks like it might rain."
10 Quotes Using Coat
My coat of many colors that my momma made for me. (Dolly Parton, "Coat of Many Colors")
Your famous blue raincoat was torn at the shoulder. (Leonard Cohen, "Famous Blue Raincoat")
Cut your coat according to your cloth. (English Proverb)
And he made him a coat of many colours. (The Bible, Genesis 37:3)
He wore a man's coat, which reached nearly to his heels. (Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist)
A man's vanity is as ill-fitting a coat as his own skin. (Joseph Joubert)
Behind her, still hanging on the open doorway, were the two long fur coats. (C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe)
There is much money given to be covered in a fine coat, and much allowed to be seen in a rich coach, but little is given to the poor. (Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack)
Sir Walter, having a new plush coat, cast and spread it on the ground. (Thomas Fuller, History of the Worthies of England)
She's got my coat and I'm never gonna see it again! (George Costanza, Seinfeld)
Etymology
The story of the word "coat" begins not with the garment itself, but with the material it was made from.
The word journeyed into English around the year 1300 from the Old French word cote, which meant "a tunic" or "overgarment." But the French didn't invent the word; they borrowed it from the Germanic tribes, most likely the Franks.
The original Frankish word was something like *kotta, which didn't mean a piece of clothing, but rather "coarse cloth" or "wool." So, the very first meaning was about the rough, heavy fabric itself. Over time, the name for the material became the name for the garment that was commonly made from it.
When "coat" first appeared in English, its meaning was a bit different from today. It described a tunic-like garment with sleeves, worn by both men and women as a primary piece of clothing, not just as outerwear for warmth. A perfect example from this time is a "coat of arms"—this was originally a cloth coat worn over a suit of armor that displayed a knight's family crest.
It wasn't until much later, in the 1600s, that the meaning expanded through metaphor. People started referring to an animal's covering of fur or hair as its "coat," as if it were the animal's natural clothing. Around the same time, they began to describe a layer of paint or tar on a surface as a "coat," thinking of it as a protective covering for a wall or a ship.
So, the word evolved from meaning "rough cloth" to "a tunic," and finally to any kind of outer layer, whether on a person, an animal, or an object.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Coat
Here is a list of common phrases and idioms that use the word "coat."
Phrases and Idioms
To ride on someone's coattails: To achieve success by associating with someone else who is already successful.
Cut your coat according to your cloth: An expression meaning you should live within your financial means and not spend more than you have.
To sugarcoat something: To make a difficult or unpleasant situation seem better or more positive than it actually is. 🍬
A turncoat: A person who betrays their own side or cause to join the opposition; a traitor.
Coat of arms: The unique heraldic shield or design that represents a family, person, or institution.
A fresh coat of paint: Literally, a new layer of paint. Metaphorically, it refers to making superficial improvements to something to make it look better without fixing underlying issues.
Coat of many colors: A reference to the special coat given to Joseph in the Bible, often symbolizing uniqueness or being favored.
To trail one's coat: An idiom, primarily of Irish origin, meaning to deliberately try to provoke a fight or argument.
To wear a coat of pride: A metaphorical phrase for displaying an attitude of arrogance or great self-respect that acts as a protective barrier.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of coat from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
