Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

drape

American  
[dreyp] / dreɪp /

verb (used with object)

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

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

  3. to arrange, hang, or let fall carelessly.

    Don't drape your feet over the chair!

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

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

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


verb (used without object)

draped, draping
  1. to hang, fall, or become arranged in folds, as drapery.

    This silk drapes well.

noun

  1. 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.

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

  3. manner or style of hanging.

    the drape of a skirt.

drape British  
/ dreɪp /

verb

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

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

  3. (tr) to place casually and loosely; hang

    she draped her arm over the back of the chair

"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

noun

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

  2. the way in which fabric hangs

"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

Other Word Forms

  • drapability noun
  • drapable adjective
  • drapeability noun
  • drapeable adjective

Etymology

Origin of drape

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French draper, derivative of drap cloth ( drab 1 )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And despite the warmth of his room, the threadbare plaid blanket that’s normally folded and draped over the end of his bed is tucked around his legs, his slippered feet sticking out beneath it.

From Literature

He’d spent months gathering different varieties—every shape and color—then fenced off the area with sticks and draped the posts in moss.

From Literature

Women dressed in black robes wailed over the bodies, one of which was draped in Hezbollah's yellow flag - a reflection of the group's support in this largely Shia area.

From BBC

The Together Alliance march followed a rally organised last September by far-right activist Tommy Robinson that drew up to 150,000 people, many of whom draped themselves in English and British flags.

From Barron's

Footage from the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency, showed hundreds of mourners bowing their heads in front of a group of at least 18 coffins draped in the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

From BBC