cloud

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

Related topics: Nature

cloud1 /klaʊd/ ●●● S3 W3 noun  1  in the sky 在天空中 [countable, uncountable]DN a white or grey mass in the sky that forms from very small drops of water 云heavy/thick/dense etc clouds Dark clouds floated across the moon. 乌云飘过月亮。 Heavy clouds had gathered over the summit of Mont Blanc. 勃朗峰上浓云密布。low/high cloud Visibility was bad due to low cloud. 因为低空有云，能见度很差。 → storm cloud, thundercloud2  in the air 在空中AMOUNT [countable] a mass of dust, smoke etc in the air, or a large number of insects flying together 〔一团灰尘、烟雾或大批飞行的昆虫等的〕云状物cloud of dust/smoke/gas etc A cloud of steam rose into the air. 一团水蒸气升到空中。 clouds of mosquitoes buzzing around us 成群成群围着我们嗡嗡叫的蚊子3  problem 问题WORRIED [countable] something that makes you feel afraid, worried, unhappy etc 阴影，阴云〔指令人恐惧、担忧、不快等的事物〕cloud of the cloud of economic recession 经济衰退的阴云cloud on the horizon (=something that might spoil a happy situation) 令人担忧的事 The only cloud on the horizon was her mother’s illness. 唯一的忧虑是她母亲患病。 Fears of renewed terrorist attacks cast a cloud over the event (=spoilt the happy situation). 对恐怖分子再次发动袭击的担心给这次活动蒙上了一层阴影。 He returned to New York under a cloud of gloom and despair. 他心灰意冷地回到了纽约。4  under a cloud (of suspicion) informalSUSPECT if someone is under a cloud, people have a bad opinion of them because they think they have done something wrong 遭嫌弃，受怀疑 He left the company under a cloud of suspicion. 他遭到怀疑，离开了公司。5. be on cloud nine informalHAPPY to be very happy about something 非常兴奋，非常高兴6. every cloud has a silver lining HOPEused to say that there is something good even in a situation that seems very sad or difficult 黑暗中总有一线光明7. be/live in cloud-cuckoo-land British EnglishCRAZY to think that a situation is much better than it really is, in a way that is slightly stupid 生活在幻想世界n8  the cloud technical the Internet used as something that provides software or space for storing information, rather than having it on your own computer They offer a variety of services in the cloud. → have your head in the clouds at head1(24)n COLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + cloud a black/grey cloudBlack clouds usually mean rain.a dark cloud (=a black or grey cloud)A dark cloud covered the sun.a white cloudThere was a bright blue sky with a few white clouds.heavy/thick cloud (also dense cloud formal)By midday, heavy clouds had spread across the sky.low/high cloudThe weather was overcast, with heavy low clouds.storm cloudsDark storm clouds were moving in from the Atlantic.rain cloudsThe sky had been full of rain clouds for days.phrasesa bank/mass of cloud (=a large block of cloud)A heavy bank of cloud was creeping across the sky.a layer of cloudThe moon was shining through a thin layer of cloud.wisps of cloud (=long thin pieces)The plane flew through occasional wisps of cloud.a band of cloud (=a long narrow area)Long narrow bands of cloud stretched across the valley.a blanket of cloud (=a thick layer)In the morning, a blanket of cloud still covered the country.a veil of cloud (=a thin layer)A thin veil of cloud hid the moon.verbsclouds gather/formThe sky had darkened and clouds had gathered.clouds cover somethingFor days thick cloud had covered the whole sky.clouds clear/lift (=disappear)At last the rain had stopped and the clouds had cleared.clouds part (=move away from each other)Suddenly the clouds that covered the moon parted.clouds move/rollA narrow band of cloud has been moving across the country.clouds drift/float (=move slowly)A few clouds drifted across the top of the mountains.clouds race/scud (=move quickly)A wind was blowing and soft clouds were scudding across the sky.clouds hangHeavy grey clouds hung low in the sky.cloud + NOUNcloud coverThe cloud cover should disappear by the afternoon.cloud formation (=the shape in which cloud forms)There are many different types of cloud formation.n THESAURUScloud noun [countable, uncountable] a white or grey mass in the sky that forms from very small drops of waterThe storm was still a way off but black clouds were gathering.Thick cloud obscured the top of the hill.fog noun [countable, uncountable] very thick cloud near the ground which is difficult to see throughThe cars crashed into each other in thick fog.The fog had lifted (=disappeared)slightly.mist noun [countable, uncountable] light cloud near the ground that makes it difficult for you to see very far. Mist is usually not as thick as fog. You often get mist near areas of water or mountainsThe morning mist was lifting and the sun was coming up.A grey mist hung over the water.The hills were shrouded in mist (=surrounded by mist).haze noun [singular, uncountable] smoke, dust, or mist in the air which is difficult to see throughHe saw the horses coming towards him through a haze of dust.The road shimmered in the heat haze.A pale blue haze hung over the far-off mountains.smog noun [countable, uncountable] dirty air that looks like a mixture of smoke and fog, caused by smoke from cars and factories in citiesThe city is covered in smog for much of the year.A smog warning was issued for parts of Southern Oregon.thundercloud noun [countable] a large dark cloud that you see before or during a stormHe watched the thunderclouds roll across the valley.vapour trail British English, vapor trail American English noun [countable] the white line that is left in the sky by a planeHigh overhead, a jet left its vapour trail across the blue sky.

Examples from the Corpus

cloud• a cloud of flies• Dark clouds gathered overhead.• Dense cloud prevented the rescue helicopter from taking off.• Under dark, heavy clouds, I returned to the den on the river.• If clouds ap-peared, the clock hid behind them.• The sun was setting in a blaze of pink, casting rosy shadows on the undersides of large, wet-looking clouds.• The plane was unable to land due to strong winds and low cloud cover.• A band of cloud stretched low across the valley and it was raining slightly.• Above shone the stars and the rings; below lay a dimly visible sea of clouds.• There wasn't a single cloud in the sky.• All the buildings shook, and at the same time a forked tongue of flame burst upward through the cloud.• These clouds are unbroken, and never, for example, look like the billowy cumulus clouds of the Earth.• As the road climbed upward, gray-white cloud veils drifted among the dales, chiffon scarves of some giant Isadora Duncan.heavy/thick/dense etc clouds• Under dark, heavy clouds, I returned to the den on the river.• Dark clouds rolled over denser, thicker clouds and merged with them.• Standard polyurethane foam ignites rapidly, forming dense clouds of smoke and toxic vapour as it does so.• By morning thick clouds drift over, but the sky between them is deep blue and occasionally the sun peeks through.• Looking northwards towards the end of the dale, she frowned to see the accumulation of heavy clouds above the moors.• Weather satellite images of the area taken from synchronous orbit show an immense circular area of dense clouds above the impact site.• The sun was down, but there was still light buried in the thick clouds patrolling the sky.• Unfortunately the fireworks must have seeded the thick clouds overhead because it absolutely poured with rain, and we got soaked.cloud of dust/smoke/gas etc• Then in a cloud of dust he was gone.• Another chunk of wall collapsed, sending up a billowing cloud of dust.• Standard polyurethane foam ignites rapidly, forming dense clouds of smoke and toxic vapour as it does so.• As long as a comet nucleus is still active, fresh clouds of dust are emitted at each perihelion passage.• The fire sent up a huge cloud of smoke visible from San Francisco, 40 miles to the south.• Instead it is a massive cloud of dust, radiating 99% of its energy at far infrared wavelengths.• Above the bare-branched trees on the edge of his vision he could see clouds of smoke.• Decades of wallpaper peeling under clouds of dust.cloud of• Businesses are worried by the clouds of a possible trade war.cloud2 verb  1  THOUGHTS/MEMORIES[transitive]CONFUSED to make someone less able to think clearly or make sensible decisions 把…搞糊涂cloud somebody’s judgment/mind/vision etc Don’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgement. 不要让你的个人感情蒙蔽你的判断力。 Fear had clouded his vision. 恐惧模糊了他的判断。2  FACE[intransitive, transitive] (also cloud over)SAD/UNHAPPY if someone’s face or eyes cloud, or if something clouds them, they start to look angry, sad, or worried （使）显得阴沉；（使）忧郁 Ann’s eyes clouded with the pain. 安因为痛苦眼睛黯然无光。 Then suspicion clouded his face. 然后他满脸疑惑。3  SPOIL something[transitive]SPOIL to make something less pleasant or more difficult than it should have been 使…蒙上阴影，使…不开心；使…难做 Her happiness was clouded by having to leave her son behind. 她不得不把儿子留下，因而幸福中掺杂了些许遗憾。n Grammar Cloud is usually passive in this meaning.4  cloud the issue/picture etc CLEAR/EASY TO UNDERSTANDto make a subject or problem more difficult to understand or deal with, especially by introducing unnecessary ideas 〔尤指用无关信息〕使问题复杂化 Uninformed judgments only cloud the issue. 无知的意见只会使问题变得复杂。5  GLASS[intransitive, transitive] (also cloud up)SEE if glass or a liquid clouds, or if something clouds it, it becomes less clear and more difficult to see through （使）〔玻璃〕变模糊；（使）〔液体〕变浑浊 windows clouded up with steam 因为凝结了水蒸气而变得模糊的玻璃窗 The water clouded and I could no longer see the river bed. 水变得浑浊，我再也看不清河床了。6  COVER WITH CLOUD[transitive]COVER to cover something with clouds 〔云雾〕笼罩，遮盖 Thick mist clouded the mountain tops. 浓雾笼罩着山顶。7 cloud over phrasal verb a) DN (also cloud up American English)DARK if the sky clouds over, it becomes dark and full of black clouds 〔天空〕阴云密布，乌云翻滚b) ANGRYSAD/UNHAPPYif someone’s face or eyes cloud over, they start to look angry or sad 〔脸上或眼睛〕露出愠怒[悲伤]的神色 His face clouded over in disappointment. 他一脸失望的神情。→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

cloud• The fact that you have enjoyed a few jars together will not cloud a journalist's judgement.• The decision to put a parent in a nursing home can be clouded by guilt.• But her happiness is clouded by having to leave daughter Amber behind.• But images of the period are shrouded in myth and clouded by partisan rhetoric.• The team's victory was clouded by the tragic events in their hometown.• Bethany poised over the bed, a slight abstract frown clouding her face.• Alcohol had clouded his judgment.• When I got back to the cabin the sky had started to cloud over.• However, the shadow of war was beginning to cloud the cricket world.• His face clouded when he saw her.• The display cases were clouded with dust.cloud3 adjective [only before noun]  n1 using or related to cloud computing cloud storage of dataOrigin cloud1 Old English clud “rock, hill”; because some clouds look like rocks

cloud1 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1 →n THESAURUS1cloud2 verb →n GRAMMAR1cloud3 adjectiveLDOCE OnlineChinese  

the Corpus or white mass grey a in

cloud

I

cloud¹ S3 W3 /klaʊd/ noun
1.  IN THE SKY  [uncountable and countable] a white or grey mass in the sky that forms from very small drops of water
    heavy/thick/dense etc clouds
    Dark clouds floated across the moon.
    Heavy clouds had gathered over the summit of Mont Blanc.
    low/high cloud
    Visibility was bad due to low cloud. ⇨ storm cloud, thundercloud
2.  IN THE AIR  [countable] a mass of dust, smoke etc in the air, or a large number of insects flying together
    cloud of dust/smoke/gas etc
    A cloud of steam rose into the air.
    clouds of mosquitoes buzzing around us
3.  PROBLEM  [countable] something that makes you feel afraid, worried, unhappy etc
    cloud of
    the cloud of economic recession
    cloud on the horizon (=something that might spoil a happy situation)
    The only cloud on the horizon was her mother’s illness.
    Fears of renewed terrorist attacks cast a cloud over the event (=spoilt the happy situation).
    He returned to New York under a cloud of gloom and despair.
4. under a cloud (of suspicion) informal if someone is under a cloud, people have a bad opinion of them because they think they have done something wrong:
    He left the company under a cloud of suspicion.
5. be on cloud nine informal to be very happy about something
6. every cloud has a silver lining used to say that there is something good even in a situation that seems very sad or difficult
7. be/live in cloud-cuckoo-land British English to think that a situation is much better than it really is, in a way that is slightly stupid
⇨ have your head in the clouds at head¹(24)
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + cloud
   ▪ a black/grey cloud Black clouds usually mean rain.
   ▪ a dark cloud (=a black or grey cloud) A dark cloud covered the sun.
   ▪ a white cloud There was a bright blue sky with a few white clouds.
   ▪ heavy/thick cloud (also dense cloud formal) By midday, heavy clouds had spread across the sky.
   ▪ low/high cloud The weather was overcast, with heavy low clouds.
   ▪ storm clouds Dark storm clouds were moving in from the Atlantic.
   ▪ rain clouds The sky had been full of rain clouds for days.
■ phrases
   ▪ a bank/mass of cloud (=a large block of cloud) A heavy bank of cloud was creeping across the sky.
   ▪ a layer of cloud The moon was shining through a thin layer of cloud.
   ▪ wisps of cloud (=long thin pieces) The plane flew through occasional wisps of cloud.
   ▪ a band of cloud (=a long narrow area) Long narrow bands of cloud stretched across the valley.
   ▪ a blanket of cloud (=a thick layer) In the morning, a blanket of cloud still covered the country.
   ▪ a veil of cloud (=a thin layer) A thin veil of cloud hid the moon.
■ verbs
   ▪ clouds gather/form The sky had darkened and clouds had gathered.
   ▪ clouds cover something For days thick cloud had covered the whole sky.
   ▪ clouds clear/lift (=disappear) At last the rain had stopped and the clouds had cleared.
   ▪ clouds part (=move away from each other) Suddenly the clouds that covered the moon parted.
   ▪ clouds move/roll A narrow band of cloud has been moving across the country.
   ▪ clouds drift/float (=move slowly) A few clouds drifted across the top of the mountains.
   ▪ clouds race/scud (=move quickly) A wind was blowing and soft clouds were scudding across the sky.
   ▪ clouds hang Heavy grey clouds hung low in the sky.
■ cloud + NOUN
   ▪ cloud cover The cloud cover should disappear by the afternoon.
   ▪ cloud formation (=the shape in which cloud forms) There are many different types of cloud formation.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ cloud noun [uncountable and countable] a white or grey mass in the sky that forms from very small drops of water: The storm was still a way off but black clouds were gathering. | Thick cloud obscured the top of the hill.
   ▪ fog noun [uncountable and countable] very thick cloud near the ground which is difficult to see through: The cars crashed into each other in thick fog. | The fog had lifted (=disappeared)slightly.
   ▪ mist noun [uncountable and countable] light cloud near the ground that makes it difficult for you to see very far. Mist is usually not as thick as fog. You often get mist near areas of water or mountains: The morning mist was lifting and the sun was coming up. | A grey mist hung over the water. | The hills were shrouded in mist (=surrounded by mist).
   ▪ haze noun [singular, uncountable] smoke, dust, or mist in the air which is difficult to see through: He saw the horses coming towards him through a haze of dust. | The road shimmered in the heat haze. | A pale blue haze hung over the far-off mountains.
   ▪ smog noun [uncountable and countable] dirty air that looks like a mixture of smoke and fog, caused by smoke from cars and factories in cities: The city is covered in smog for much of the year. | A smog warning was issued for parts of Southern Oregon.
   ▪ thundercloud noun [countable] a large dark cloud that you see before or during a storm: He watched the thunderclouds roll across the valley.
   ▪ vapour trail British English, vapor trail American English noun [countable] the white line that is left in the sky by a plane: High overhead, a jet left its vapour trail across the blue sky.

II

cloud² verb
1. [transitive] to make someone less able to think clearly or make sensible decisions
    cloud sb’s judgement/mind/vision etc
    Don’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgement.
    Fear had clouded his vision.
2. (also cloud over) [intransitive and transitive] if someone’s face or eyes cloud, or if something clouds them, they start to look angry, sad, or worried:
    Ann’s eyes clouded with the pain.
    Then suspicion clouded his face.
3. [transitive usually passive] to make something less pleasant or more difficult than it should have been:
    Her happiness was clouded by having to leave her son behind.
4. cloud the issue/picture etc to make a subject or problem more difficult to understand or deal with, especially by introducing unnecessary ideas:
    Uninformed judgements only cloud the issue.
5. (also cloud up) [intransitive and transitive] if glass or a liquid clouds, or if something clouds it, it becomes less clear and more difficult to see through:
    windows clouded up with steam
    The water clouded and I could no longer see the river bed.
6. [transitive] to cover something with clouds:
    Thick mist clouded the mountain tops.
     
cloud over phrasal verb
  1. (also cloud up American English) if the sky clouds over, it becomes dark and full of black clouds
  2. if someone’s face or eyes cloud over, they start to look angry or sad:
    His face clouded over in disappointment.