cloud

I UK [klaʊd] / US noun
Word forms "cloud":
singular cloud plural clouds
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1) [countable/uncountable] a white or grey mass of very small drops of water in the sky

A few white clouds drifted across the sky.

There's more cloud than yesterday.

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Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with cloud
▪  dark, dense, grey, heavy, low, storm Verbs frequently used with cloud as the subject ▪  billow, drift, gather, lift, scud, spread, thicken

2)

a) [countable] a large amount of smoke, dust, steam etc in the air

a dust cloud

cloud of:

a huge cloud of black smoke

b) any large mass in the sky that looks like a cloud

A thick cloud of flies buzzed around us.

3) [countable] something unpleasant that spoils an activity, event, or situation

a cloud of anxiety/misery/uncertainty

be/cast a cloud over something:

Violent protests cast a cloud over the president's visit.

a cloud on the horizon (= something that is likely to spoil a situation):

The only cloud on the horizon is the possibility of a hostile takeover.

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- the cloud

- every cloud has a silver lining

- on cloud nine

- under a cloud

II UK [klaʊd] / US verb
Word forms "cloud":
present tense I/you/we/they cloud he/she/it clouds present participle clouding past tense clouded past participle clouded
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1) cloud or cloud over

[intransitive] to become darker because grey clouds are forming in the sky

2)

a) [intransitive/transitive] if something transparent or shiny clouds, or if something clouds it, it becomes difficult to see through or into it

Steam clouded the mirror.

b) if something clouds a clear liquid, or if it clouds, it becomes no longer clear

The solution clouds if you shake it.

3) [transitive] to affect your thinking in a way that makes you likely to make a bad decision or forget something

cloud someone's judgment:

Make sure that personal motivation is not clouding your judgment.

4) [transitive] to make something more complicated or confusing

cloud the issue:

Unanswered questions have further clouded the issue.

5) [transitive] to spoil an activity, event, or situation

Her political future was clouded by allegations of misconduct.

6) [intransitive/transitive] if an emotion clouds your eyes, your eyes show the emotion

Phrasal verbs:

- cloud over