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
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 The British girl group also shared the cover art, which features all three members — Renée Downer, Jorja Douglas and Stella Quaresma — strutting their stuff while draped in various fur coats and tall leather boots against a white backdrop. Heran Mamo, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024 The actors sat at a long table draped in black cloth. Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Totally inspired by Parisian glam in the 1920s, Cohen and her savoir-faire sensibilities have created sensual fashion in a tasteful and playful way, draped in bows. Allyson Portee, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2024 Cutting-edge Massage: Rosenthal lies face down on a spa table, draped in a cloth, then a therapist vigorously rhythm-taps the length of his body with knives. Laura Manske, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 It can be easily draped over any outfit as a jacket, a scarf, or even a shrug to cover up a sleeveless dress. Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
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 From bright turquoise velvet drapes to plush Deco area rugs, the 179 rooms and suites are every bit as opulent as the public spaces. Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 29 Feb. 2024 Even with the windows shuttered and drapes closed, the red velvet sitting room gave off the vibes of the legendary gatherings and intimate performances that took place there on the rare evenings when Verdi, who coveted his privacy, entertained. Anthony Tommasini, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2023 Matching the drape of the lengthy trains on Napoleon’s cotton velvet and faux ermine robe and Josephine’s regal cloak to the majesty of the artwork proved an endeavor. Fawnia Soo Hoo, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2024 The tent comes with mosquito netting that when gathered around the tent poles, looks like the elegant drapes of royalty on a picnic. Micaela Arnett, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2024 The V-neck tank top drapes beautifully, while the drawstring shorts (with pockets!) are roomy with a comfortable elastic waist. Barbara Bellesi Zito, Travel + Leisure, 12 Feb. 2024 Heavy bullion fringe ringing the skirt of an upholstered chair, or velvet drapes, are both classic looks. Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 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 19 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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