Clochelike

Clochelike is an adjective used to describe objects, forms, or qualities that resemble a cloche, a bell-shaped dome or cover. The term derives from the French word cloche, meaning "bell," combined with the English suffix -like. It is applied across disciplines to convey a rounded, flaring, or domed profile similar to that of a bell.

In design and architecture, clochelike describes elements such as domes, skylights, lampshades, and protective covers that adopt a smooth, curved silhouette. In fashion, the word references garments and accessories modeled on the early 20th-century cloche hat, a close-fitting, bell-shaped hat popular in the 1920s. In culinary contexts, a clochelike cover or cloche is used to retain heat and moisture over plated food.

In botany and biology, clochelike is used informally to describe bell-shaped flowers or structures; the technical term campanulate is more common in scientific descriptions. In acoustics and materials, clochelike may be used metaphorically to describe sound qualities or resonant shapes that emulate a bell’s profile.

The term remains largely descriptive and informal, often used in general writing, design notes, and product descriptions. Synonyms include bell-shaped and campanulate, while antonyms include flat, angular, and planar when contrasting shapes are needed.