bedclothes

Everyday

The covers on a bed: sheets, blankets, a duvet or quilt, and pillowcases. tree →

In the lessons

In stories children hide under the bedclothes with a torch to read, or pull the bedclothes over their heads when scared. In The Wind in the Willows Toad escapes from his bedroom by knotting his bedclothes into a rope and climbing out of the window – but never try this in real life, it is very dangerous.

Examples

• She pulled the bedclothes over her head. tree →
• Toad tied his bedclothes together to make a rope. tree →
• The cat was asleep in a heap of bedclothes. tree →
• Mum changes the bedclothes every week. tree →
• The bedclothes were all tangled after the nightmare. tree →
• Never climb out of a window on bedclothes – it's dangerous. tree →
• They talked about it all, while the little Rabbit lay under the bedclothes, with just his head peeping out, and listened. tree →

Note

Plural only: «the bedclothes are» (no «a bedclothe»). Today people often say «bedding» or «bed linen».