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

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Amelia Island, Florida An unspoiled wisp of a barrier island, Amelia Island has miles of pristine beaches with sand dunes and unfettered access to the Atlantic Ocean, plus a forest of giant oaks draped in Spanish moss just for good measure. —Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 9 June 2026

Escola's custom Wiederhoeft creation featured a lace-up corset in pale blue taffeta with draping at the chest and hips and hand-embroidered metallic blue glass beads. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026

Noun

Bidders will also find capes, drapes, peignoirs, jumpsuits, fur coats and red, white and blue ensemble that Ann-Margret wore for a performance at the White House, when President Gerald Ford was honoring the Shah of Iran. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 9 June 2026

This perfect summer fabric is light, silky, and drapes wonderfully. —Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 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