drapery
Americannoun
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coverings, hangings, clothing, etc., of fabric, especially as arranged in loose, graceful folds.
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Often draperies. long curtains, usually of heavy fabric and often designed to open and close across a window.
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the draping or arranging of hangings, clothing, etc., in graceful folds.
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Art. hangings, clothing, etc., as represented in sculpture or painting.
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cloths or textile fabrics collectively.
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British.
noun
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fabric or clothing arranged and draped
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(often plural) curtains or hangings that drape
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the occupation or shop of a draper
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fabrics and cloth collectively
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of drapery
1250–1300; Middle English draperie < Old French, equivalent to drap cloth + -erie -ery
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.
See Examples For:
But as the Oxford Companion says of Gainsborough, “Unlike most of his contemporaries he employed no drapery painter.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026
The gleaming surface of the projecting figure and a background of sleeping soldiers, angels, drapery and clouds embody the inexplicable moment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 12, 2025
The darkness of the woods and muddy terrain was just as effective scenery as any of the bedsheet drapery or wooden flats that had been set up.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2025
Once the wallpaper is hung, don’t be afraid to hang decorative accessories like pictures and drapery.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 28, 2024
There was another man behind him, much older and dressed just out of this world, with a tall hat and glasses and a cloth drapery dress and swishing an animal’s tail back and forth.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Heavy draperies hang at the windows instead of venetian blinds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026
There, gleaming gypsum flowers bloom from stone draperies laced with translucent cave pearls.
From Salon ● Oct. 7, 2023
When it comes to caring for custom throw pillows, bedding and draperies, we highly recommend opting for professional dry cleaning.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 3, 2023
The floral centerpieces are in place, a band is onstage, and the draperies are neatly tucked in and tied.
From New York Times ● May 12, 2023
The armchairs around the low tables are upholstered in different prints, as are the heavy draperies at the windows and each wall segment surrounding the diners.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
