drape

1 of 2

verb

ˈdrāp 

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

ˌdrā-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

drapable adjective

or less commonly drapeable

ˈdrā-pə-bəl 

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

ˈdrā-pē 

adjective

Synonyms of drape

Verb

• decorate
• adorn
• dress

Noun

• curtains

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

Noun

we hung drapes in the living room to match the new color scheme

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

With Green draped all over him, spearheading the Warriors’ blitzing defensive attack, Leonard was held scoreless for the first 11 minutes and 43 seconds of the fourth quarter, even as the Clippers force-fed him the ball down the stretch. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026

Children sat on steps draped in American flags, holding photos of children killed in the war. —ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026

Noun

As soft as pajamas yet lovely enough to wear out on the town (or around the ship), the micro modal fabric of these Saint Haven pants drapes elegantly, resists wrinkles, and has a relaxed fit that works equally well at a harbor-side bar or a breezy dinner ashore. —Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2026

Focus on the Headboard Whether custom made with fabric to match your drapes or a vintage find, let the headboard be a focal point. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably back-formation from drapery

First Known Use

Verb

1847, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for drape

• ape
• cape
• crape
• crepe
• gape
• grape
• pape
• rape
• scape
• scrape
• shape
• snape

Kids Definition

drape

1 of 2 noun

ˈdrāp 

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

ˈdrāp 

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