Cover in Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Physical Application Use 'cover in' when something is physically applied onto another object's surface. Her hands were covered in clay after the pottery class. Pro Tip 2/3Partial Coverage 'Cover in' does not always mean complete coverage, it can be partial too. His shoes were covered in mud. Pro Tip 3/3Visual Effect Using 'cover in' often suggests a noticeable visual change to the covered item. The hills were covered in a blanket of white snow.