cloud
Relating to services, software, or data storage provided over the internet rather than on a local computer or physical server. In modern technology, it describes a decentralized network of remote servers used to store and process information globally.
Examples
3 of 5I keep all my personal photos in a cloud folder so I can access them from any device.
I keep all my personal photos in a cloud folder so I can access them from any device.
The government is evaluating the security implications of cloud migration for its public records.
The government is evaluating the security implications of cloud migration for its public records.
Don't worry about the hard drive crashing; everything is backed up in the cloud anyway.
Don't worry about the hard drive crashing; everything is backed up in the cloud anyway.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a physical cloud as something high up that you can see from anywhere; similarly, 'cloud technology' is data kept 'up' on the internet that you can reach from any location.
Quick Quiz
The company decided to move its database to a ______-based system to improve accessibility for remote workers.
Correct!
The correct answer is: a
Examples
I keep all my personal photos in a cloud folder so I can access them from any device.
everydayI keep all my personal photos in a cloud folder so I can access them from any device.
The government is evaluating the security implications of cloud migration for its public records.
formalThe government is evaluating the security implications of cloud migration for its public records.
Don't worry about the hard drive crashing; everything is backed up in the cloud anyway.
informalDon't worry about the hard drive crashing; everything is backed up in the cloud anyway.
Academic institutions are increasingly adopting cloud-based research tools to facilitate international collaboration.
academicAcademic institutions are increasingly adopting cloud-based research tools to facilitate international collaboration.
Our quarterly budget includes a significant allocation for cloud infrastructure maintenance and scalability.
businessOur quarterly budget includes a significant allocation for cloud infrastructure maintenance and scalability.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
in the cloud
stored on or available through the internet
head in the clouds
being unrealistic, idealistic, or distracted
every cloud has a silver lining
every bad situation has a positive aspect
Often Confused With
Cloudy is an adjective describing weather or opaque liquids, whereas 'cloud' used as an adjective specifically refers to internet technology.
Clout refers to power or influence, while cloud refers to the sky or internet storage.
Usage Notes
When used in a technical sense, 'cloud' is usually an attributive noun acting as an adjective (e.g., 'cloud storage'). It is rarely used as a standalone adjective unless hyphenated as 'cloud-based'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'on the cloud' when referring to data storage; the correct preposition used by native speakers is almost always 'in the cloud'.
Memory Tip
Think of a physical cloud as something high up that you can see from anywhere; similarly, 'cloud technology' is data kept 'up' on the internet that you can reach from any location.
Word Origin
Derived from Old English 'clūd', which originally meant a mass of rock or a hill, later evolving to describe floating water vapor because of their massive, puffy shape.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The concept of 'the cloud' has revolutionized modern culture by enabling a shift from physical ownership of media (like CDs and DVDs) to digital access and streaming.
Quick Quiz
The company decided to move its database to a ______-based system to improve accessibility for remote workers.
Correct!
The correct answer is: a
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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