drape

1 of 2

verb

draped; draping

transitive verb

1
: to cover or adorn with or as if with folds of cloth
2
: to cause to hang or stretch out loosely or carelessly
3
: to arrange in flowing lines or folds

intransitive verb

: to become arranged in folds
this silk drapes beautifully
drapability noun
or less commonly drapeability
drapable adjective
or less commonly drapeable

drape

2 of 2

noun

1
: arrangement in or of folds
2
a
: a drapery especially for a window : curtain
b
: a sterile covering used in an operating room
usually used in plural
3
: the cut or hang of clothing
drapey adjective

Examples of drape in a Sentence

Verb We'll drape strings of lights between the trees for the party. the town hall was draped in bunting for the annual Fourth of July festivities
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Someone had taken the initiative to drape a blue tarp over the statue’s nether regions. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 To keep guests warm, plush white blankets were draped on the ceremony chairs, standing heaters were brought in, and invitations suggested a warm coat. Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2024 The ankle-length white dress is made of lace and features draped satin off-the-shoulder sleeves. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 The once-familiar yacht draped in the company’s colors is unlikely to make an appearance in Cannes. Jack Sidders, Fortune Europe, 12 Mar. 2024 There are two sides of the red carpet: The one everyone sees at home with megawatt stars, and the one behind them where other ticket holders walk up a massive staircase, also draped in scarlet, where staff members politely and sternly moved everyone along as people lingered to take selfies. Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024 She was helped to the bench with her arms draped over the shoulders of two team staff members. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 Bacon and a slice of American cheese draped over the patty pull everything together. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 6 Mar. 2024 Instead of wearing a winter coat in the car, it’s recommended to drape a blanket over the car seat for additional warmth. Casey Clark, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024
Noun
In a fusion of Victorian, Asian, and other periods and regions throughout the world, your eyes are fed with enormous crystal chandeliers, intricate heavy drapes with valences, the requisite palm tree (faux or real), and an animal throw for a touch of whimsy. Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2024 It’s made from modal fleece that not only looks great and drapes beautifully, but also perfectly captures the sensation of being curled up in your favorite sheets. Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2024 Civil defense workers drape blankets over the dead and carry them away. Hazem Balousha, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 He was also given a drape to cover up during Waddington’s acceptance speech. Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024 The ruching along the side gives it a couture-esque drape and will look equally stylish with a pair of boots or your favorite white sneakers. Anna Vognsen, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2024 The cotton runner with stripes drapes along the edges and comes in a wide variety of sizes that’ll fit most tables. Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024 South-facing windows oriented to the sun allow the studio to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and drapes outside the front door can be closed for further privacy if anyone wants to sit in the patio chair on the tiny stoop. Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 The drape of the dress is just nonchalant enough and can meet any carpet-pile height with aplomb! Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drape.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably back-formation from drapery

First Known Use

Verb

1847, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of drape was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near drape

Cite this Entry

“Drape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drape. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

drape

1 of 2 noun
1
plural : drapery sense 2
2
: arrangement in or of folds
3
: the cut or hang of clothing

drape

2 of 2 verb
draped; draping
1
: to cover or decorate with or as if with folds of cloth
2
: to arrange in flowing lines or folds
a beautifully draped satin dress

Medical Definition

drape

1 of 2 transitive verb
draped; draping
: to shroud or enclose with surgical drapes

drape

2 of 2 noun
: a sterile covering used in an operating room
usually used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on drape

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