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Meaning & use

coating

noun, verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈkəʊtɪŋ/
US/ˈkoʊtɪŋ/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable or uncountable

    A thin layer of a substance spread over the surface of something.

    Grammar: Countable for a layer: a coating of dust; uncountable for the material: the coating wears away.

    Patterns

    • a coating of something
    • a coating on something

    The shelves had a thick coating of dust.

    He applied a second coating of paint.

    The pan has a non-stick coating.

  2. nouncountable or uncountable

    A layer of food such as breadcrumbs, batter or chocolate that surrounds another food.

    Grammar: Used in cooking: a crispy coating.

    Patterns

    • a coating of something

    The chicken has a crunchy coating of breadcrumbs.

    The cake had a coating of dark chocolate.

  3. verbtransitive

    Present participle of coat: covering a surface with a layer of something.

    Grammar: Takes an object: coating the wood with varnish.

    Patterns

    • coating something with something

    She is coating the fish in flour before frying.

    They are coating the roof with waterproof paint.

Word forms

pluralcoatings
base formcoat

Common combinations

thin coating
Apply a thin coating of oil.
protective coating
The metal has a protective coating against rust.
non-stick coating
The pan's non-stick coating is scratched.
chocolate coating
The nuts have a chocolate coating.
coating of dust
A coating of dust covered the old piano.

Synonyms and how they differ

layer
Layer is general and can be thick, while coating suggests a thin cover over a surface.
film
Film is thinner and often barely visible, such as a film of oil.
covering
Covering is more general and can be a thick or separate cover.
glaze
Glaze is a shiny coating, especially on pottery or food.

Opposites

core

Word family

coat verb
to cover with a layer
coat noun
a layer of paint or an outer garment
coated adjective
covered with a layer
undercoat noun
a first layer of paint

Commonly confused: coating or covering?

coating vs covering

A covering can be loose, like a blanket, while a coating sticks to the surface.

Practice

The frying pan has a non-stick ___ that stops food from sticking.

Make it your own

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