curtain

verb

curtained; curtaining

ˈkərt-niŋ, 

ˈkər-tᵊn-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with or as if with curtains

2

: to veil or shut off with or as if with a curtain

Synonyms of curtain

• hide
• conceal
• obscure
• cover
• veil
• mask

Examples of curtain in a Sentence

she dropped her head in shame and curtained her face with her hair

Recent Examples on the Web

No blackout curtains or losing the cues of your outside environment. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 1 June 2026

Floor-to-ceiling windows let in lots of natural light, the blackout curtains work well, and the beds are both supportive and plush. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026

Wash curtains every three to six months to prevent dust, grime, and odors from building up. —Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 29 Apr. 2026

Hidden away in the dark, mossy folds of the gorge are dozens of waterfalls that curtain the hillsides after spring rains. —Jordan Charbonneau, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing curtain

• bamboo curtain
• bring down the curtain on
• bring the curtain down on
• curtain call
• curtain lecture
• curtain off
• curtain-raiser
• curtain time
• curtain wall
• draw the blinds/curtain/shades on
• drop curtain
• final curtain
• Iron curtain
• lace-curtain
• ring down the curtain
• ring up the curtain
• tableau curtain
• the curtain comes down on

Rhymes for curtain

• bertin
• certain
• uncertain

Kids Definition

curtain

noun

cur·​tain

ˈkərt-ᵊn

1

: a piece of material (as cloth) hung up to darken, hide, divide, or decorate

2

: the opening or closing of the curtain in front of the stage of a theater

3

: something that covers, hides, or separates like a curtain

curtain verb