curtain
curtain — noun
1. a rectangular sheet of fabric that can be slid or drawn sideways to cover an ope
a rectangular sheet of fabric that can be slid or drawn sideways to cover an opening, commonly fitted at windows to control light or prevent people outside from seeing in.
Lakshmi pulled the curtain aside to let in the morning sunlight.
verb + curtain aside
Thick velvet curtains kept the cold air from coming through the old window.
collocation: thick curtains / draw the curtains
The nurse drew the curtain around the hospital bed for privacy.
Before going to bed, Mira closed the curtains and turned off the bedside lamp.
A thin lace curtain hung at the kitchen window, letting in soft light.
文法句型
usually plural: 'the curtains'
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'curtains' even when referring to a single window, especially when there are two matching panels that meet in the middle.
常見錯誤
2. a thick mass of something such as smoke, fog, rain, or mist that blocks the view
a thick mass of something such as smoke, fog, rain, or mist that blocks the view of what is behind it.
A thick curtain of smoke rose from the burning building, making it hard to see.
pattern: a curtain of [substance]
The driver could hardly see the road through the curtain of heavy rain.
A curtain of mist hung over the valley every autumn morning.
The old mansion was hidden behind a curtain of overgrown ivy.
Eshe could not see the rescue team through the curtain of falling snow.
文法句型
a curtain of + [substance]
用法筆記
Typically appears in the pattern 'a curtain of + noun' where the noun is an obscuring substance (smoke, fog, rain, mist, darkness, snow). The same pattern is used metaphorically: 'a curtain of secrecy,' 'a curtain of silence.'
3. a large sheet of heavy material positioned at the front of a theatre stage that
a large sheet of heavy material positioned at the front of a theatre stage that is raised or pulled aside at the start of a performance and closed afterwards to conceal the stage.
The audience clapped loudly as the curtain rose on the first act.
set phrase: the curtain rises
After the final bow, the curtain fell slowly, ending the performance.
set phrase: the curtain falls
The actors stood nervously behind the curtain, waiting for their cue.
When the curtain went up, the audience gasped at the beautiful forest scenery.
The theatre's red velvet curtain had been in use for over forty years.
- drop
the painted cloth that is lowered onto a stage; a type of theatre curtain
文法句型
the curtain rises/falls
behind the curtain
用法筆記
The phrase 'raise the curtain' / 'the curtain rises' signals the start of a performance; 'lower the curtain' / 'the curtain falls' signals the end. These are used both literally in theatre and metaphorically in other contexts.
常見錯誤
4. a hairstyle in which the hair is parted at the centre and falls evenly down both
a hairstyle in which the hair is parted at the centre and falls evenly down both sides of the face, usually at chin or shoulder length.
In the 1990s teenagers wore their hair in a curtain that covered half the face.
historical style reference
Beatrix styled her hair into a curtain with a sharp middle part and straight sides.
The pop star's curtain hairstyle became hugely popular among young fans.
Eli brushed his curtain hairstyle behind his ears whenever he was studying.
The barber used a comb to create the centre part for the curtain cut.
- centre parting
describes the part line itself, not the full hairstyle
- curtain bangs
the front fringe version of the style, not the full head of hair
用法筆記
Often called 'curtain bangs' when referring specifically to fringe that is parted in the middle. The style is also referred to as a 'centre parting' but 'curtain' specifically describes the way the hair frames the face like open drapes.
curtain — verb
1. to fit a window, door, or room with a curtain or curtains.
to fit a window, door, or room with a curtain or curtains.
The couple spent the weekend curtaining every window in their new apartment.
verb: curtain + [object]
We need to curtain the living room before the hot summer sun arrives.
The tall windows were difficult to curtain because of their unusual shape.
An interior designer suggested curtaining the glass wall with floor-length drapes.
- drape
implies covering with loose fabric in a decorative way, not specifically with a curtain rod
文法句型
curtain + [noun phrase]
2. to hide, separate, or block something from view or access, using a curtain or an
to hide, separate, or block something from view or access, using a curtain or anything that acts like one.
A velvet rope curtained off the VIP area from the rest of the restaurant.
phrasal pattern: curtain off
The thick fog curtained the mountain peaks from the hikers below.
metaphorical: curtained [object] from view
Tall bamboo trees curtained the garden, blocking the neighbours' view.
The renovation area was curtained off by large sheets of plastic sheeting.
文法句型
curtain + object + off
be curtained + off
用法筆記
This sense is very commonly used with the particle 'off' to form the phrasal verb 'curtain off', meaning to separate an area by hanging a curtain across it.