Language Research

cloud · noun

/klaʊd/Full view

cloud (WATER)

A2 C or U a white or grey mass in the sky, made of very small drops of water

Dictionary examples:

Do you think those are rain clouds on the horizon?

The sky was a perfect blue - not a cloud in sight.

Dark clouds massed on the horizon.

Learner example:

Except for the first day, the sun was with us all the time, with absolutely no cloud in the sky. (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)

cloud (SMOKE/DUST)

B2 C a mass of something such as dust or smoke that looks like a cloud

Dictionary example:

A huge cloud of smoke from burning oil tanks stretched across the sky.

Learner example:

Some of them leave behind a large cloud of smoke and it damage[s] our health. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

be on cloud nine

C2 to be extremely happy and excited

Dictionary example:

After I heard I'd got the job, I was on cloud nine!

Learner example:

But now, after the promise in which both said "yes", she was on cloud nine. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

cloud · verb

/klaʊd/

cloud

C2 T to make someone confused, or make something harder to understand

Dictionary example:

to cloud someone's judgment/vision

Learner example:

Having their judgment somewhat clouded by hormones should not take precedence over all other concerns. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Hebrew)