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

Her casket sat at the front of the church, draped with an American flag. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2026

Here, a guest opts for one with light support, dressing it up with a white blazer draped over the shoulders, black shorts, a waist scarf, flip-flop heels, and an oversized clutch. — Julia Guerra, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026

Noun

Large flower arrangements lie on the pile of earth; a traditional embroidered cloth drapes over the cross. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

White drapes frame the space, with a front window wall tinted Jacaranda-purple, visible from the outside. — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 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