cover noun
1 sth put on/over sth
ADJ. loose a sofa with a loose cover | protective | removable | dust We spread dust covers over the furniture while the builders were in. | cushion, duvet, mattress, seat | manhole
VERB + COVER put on | take off
PREP. ~ for a cover for the swimming pool
2 sth that is over sth
ADJ. thick a thick cover of snow | cloud, snow We descended into Heathrow through thick cloud cover. | forest, ground plants that provide good ground cover
3 outside of a book/magazine
ADJ. back, front | hard, soft | book, magazine
COVER + NOUN design | story | girl
PREP. on a/the ~ There's a picture of the author on the back cover.
4 the covers: blankets, sheets, etc.
ADJ. bed
VERB + COVER get under | pull up | pull back, throw back She threw back the covers and got out of bed.
PREP. under the ~
5 insurance against sth
ADJ. comprehensive, full | wide This company provides wider cover. | standard | additional | insurance | fire, health, indemnity, life, medical
VERB + COVER have | give sb, provide (sb with)
PREP. ~ against cover against accidental damage | ~ for cover for contents
6 shelter/protection from the weather/damage, etc.
ADJ. air The RAF provided air cover for the attack.
VERB + COVER dive for, run for, take We ran for cover as it started to rain. | seek | find | give sb, provide (sb with) | break (= leave) The deer broke cover as the hunters approached.
PREP. under ~ All the seats are under cover. | under ~ of We attacked at night, under cover of darkness. | ~ from They sought cover from the wind.
7 sth that hides the real nature of sth
ADJ. perfect | diplomatic spies operating under diplomatic cover
VERB + COVER blow (= reveal) He realized his cover had been blown
PREP. ~ for The club is a cover for various criminal activities.