drape

[ dreyp ]

/ dreɪp /

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See synonyms for: drape / draped / drapes on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), draped, drap·ing.

to cover or hang with cloth or other fabric, especially in graceful folds; adorn with drapery.

to adjust (curtains, clothes, etc.) into graceful folds, attractive lines, etc.

to arrange, hang, or let fall carelessly: Don't drape your feet over the chair!

Medicine/Medical, Surgery. to place cloth so as to surround (a part to be examined, treated, or operated upon).

(in reinforced-concrete construction) to hang (reinforcement) in a certain form between two points before pouring the concrete.

to put a black cravat on (a flagstaff) as a token of mourning.

verb (used without object), draped, drap·ing.

to hang, fall, or become arranged in folds, as drapery: This silk drapes well.

noun

a curtain or hanging of heavy fabric and usually considerable length, especially either of a pair for covering a window and drawn open and shut horizontally.

either of a pair of similar curtains extending or draped at the sides of a window, French doors, or the like as decoration.

manner or style of hanging: the drape of a skirt.

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Origin of drape

1400–50; late Middle English <Middle French draper, derivative of drap cloth (see drab¹)

OTHER WORDS FROM drape

drap·a·ble, drape·a·ble, adjectivedrap·a·bil·i·ty, drape·a·bil·i·ty, noun

Words nearby drape

Drancy, drang, drangway, drank, dr. ap., drape, Drapeau, drape forming, draper, drapery, drapes

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use drape in a sentence

The sunbeam’s extra tall, adjustable collar cradles the neck and drapes over the shoulders for quick relaxation.
Best heating pad for chronic pain and tense muscles|Irena Collaku|August 22, 2021|Popular-Science
The Sunbeam’s extra tall, adjustable collar cradles the neck and drapes over the shoulders for quick relaxation.
Best heating pad for chronic pain and tense muscles|Irena Collaku|August 22, 2021|Popular-Science
The fabric, a stretchy merino-blend terry, is substantial without being bulky, with weight and a nice drape.
Blair Braverman’s Favorite Bra-Friendly Dresses|awise|August 12, 2021|Outside Online
Mattie & Eddie’s is a love letter to Armstrong’s paternal grandparents, drape makers whose wee home was the place for family to gather for Sunday meals.
Mattie & Eddie’s channels the Irish spirit of a veteran chef’s grandparents|Tom Sietsema|May 21, 2021|Washington Post

The scent of burning incense crawled into my nose as I peeled back the heavy orange embroidered silk drape leading into the Khenpo’s room.
The Secret to Happiness? Thinking About Death.|Michael Easter|May 13, 2021|Outside Online
Sneaker and clothing brands routinely dole out buckets of dough to drape their swag over popular cultural characters.
Would You Pay $100 For a 50 Cent Bulge? Men’s Undies Get Expensive|James Joiner|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A large part of a fashion model's job is physical, moving and shaping her body to highlight the drape of the clothing.
Does Fashion Week Exploit Teen Models?|Jennifer Sky|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Riveters log hundreds of hours making the banners that drape the stadium throughout the season.
Portland Is Ground Zero for the Best Women’s Soccer in the World|Evelyn Shoop|June 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Yoga has helped increase my range of motion and flexibility and has addressed my imbalances from the scoliosis,” says Dr. Drape.
Yoga Is Good for You. But Is It Medicine?|DailyBurn|June 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dr. Drape recognizes that she will always have to manage her scoliosis.
Yoga Is Good for You. But Is It Medicine?|DailyBurn|June 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Seconds later the knotted drape she had used before swayed down into sight, I grasped it to steady it.
Valley of the Croen|Lee Tarbell
The great mountains rejoice in the sun, or drape their brows in clouds, irrespective of the eyes that regard them.
Sevenoaks|J. G. Holland
Both political parties, by a common impulse, "drape themselves in the Flag."
The Behavior of Crowds|Everett Dean Martin
They are invisible garments that drape themselves about our spirit and give a predetermined form to all its symbolic expression.
Language|Edward Sapir
Will somebody kindly drape that sun dial and hold back on time a little?
The Girl Scouts at Camp Comalong|Lillian Garis

British Dictionary definitions for drape

drape

/ (dreɪp) /

verb

(tr) to hang or cover with flexible material or fabric, usually in folds; adorn

to hang or arrange or be hung or arranged, esp in folds

(tr) to place casually and loosely; hangshe draped her arm over the back of the chair

noun

(often plural) a cloth or hanging that covers something in folds; drapery

the way in which fabric hangs

Derived forms of drape

drapable or drapeable, adjective

Word Origin for drape

C15: from Old French draper, from drap piece of cloth; see drab 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

drape

Origin of drape

OTHER WORDS FROM drape

Words nearby drape

Words related to drape

How to use drape in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for drape

Derived forms of drape

Word Origin for drape