drape
drape — verb
- drapepresent simple I / you / we / they
- drapeshe / she / it
- drapedpast simple
- draping-ing form
1. to arrange a piece of fabric, clothing, or other soft material loosely on or ove
to arrange a piece of fabric, clothing, or other soft material loosely on or over a surface, object, or person, so that it hangs or rests in a casual or decorative way
Rohan draped a thick wool blanket over his knees while reading by the fire.
drape + object + over [surface]; casual covering
Tamar draped her silk scarf around the lamp to soften the light in the room.
Elena draped a clean cotton sheet over the table for a temporary picnic cloth.
Andrés draped his jacket across the dining chair and sat down to eat.
The children draped party lights across the garden fence for the celebration.
- uncover
to remove a covering from
文法句型
drape + object + over/on/across/around + noun phrase
用法筆記
The direct object is typically a soft, flexible material (cloth, clothing, fabric, towel, scarf). The prepositional phrase specifies where it is placed — over, on, across, or around a surface or object.
常見錯誤
2. having a piece of fabric or other soft material placed loosely over the surface,
having a piece of fabric or other soft material placed loosely over the surface, often for decoration, ceremony, or protection
The old wooden table was draped with a lace tablecloth for the holiday dinner.
passive: be draped with [covering material]
The walls of the wedding hall were draped in flowing white fabric and fairy lights.
passive: be draped in [decorative material]
During the memorial service, the photograph was draped in a black ribbon.
The balcony railing was draped with flowering vines that hung down to the garden below.
Each reception chair was draped in pale blue cloth with a bow.
文法句型
be draped with + noun
be draped in + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used in the passive voice (be draped). The preposition 'with' introduces the covering material; 'in' emphasizes the decorative or ceremonial aspect.
3. to hang down or fall in a loose, folded, or flowing way, without being stretched
to hang down or fall in a loose, folded, or flowing way, without being stretched tight
The ivy draped over the garden wall in thick green curtains of leaves.
Soft folds of red velvet draped gracefully from the ceiling to the polished floor.
intransitive: fabric + drapes + preposition; describes natural hang
Her hair draped across her shoulders in damp waves after the swim.
The heavy brocade fabric draped in elegant folds around the wedding canopy.
A thin mist draped over the valley as the sun began to rise.
文法句型
drape + over/down/across + noun phrase
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (which requires a person arranging the cloth), this sense is intransitive — the material itself falls or hangs naturally. Also used metaphorically for mist, fog, or shadow.
常見錯誤
drape — noun
- drapesingular
- drapesplural
1. how a piece of fabric hangs, falls, or forms folds when it is arranged over a su
how a piece of fabric hangs, falls, or forms folds when it is arranged over a surface or wrapped around an object
The designer admired the elegant drape of the silk gown on the mannequin.
This heavy velvet has a beautiful drape that works perfectly for stage curtains.
describes quality of fabric; heavy velvet has a good drape
Andrés checked the drape of the jacket on the customer's shoulders before making adjustments.
Gita held up the silk to check its drape before cutting the bridesmaid dress.
Elena loved how the drape of the curtains highlighted the tall library windows.
用法筆記
Usually uncountable or used with 'a' to describe a specific quality ('a soft drape', 'a heavy drape'). Common in fashion design and interior decorating contexts.
2. heavy curtains or pieces of hanging cloth used to cover a window, typically made
heavy curtains or pieces of hanging cloth used to cover a window, typically made from thick fabric
Rohan opened the heavy drapes to let the morning sunlight flood into the living room.
drapes = window curtains; verb 'open' collocation
The hotel room had thick velvet drapes with gold tassels tied at the sides.
Tamar closed the bedroom drapes before turning on the lamp to read.
New thermal drapes helped reduce the cold draft coming through the old windows in winter.
The floor-to-ceiling drapes in the conference room cost more than the entire furniture budget.
用法筆記
Commonly used in the plural ('drapes'). 'Drapes' is more informal than 'curtains' in some regions; in American English, 'drapes' often implies heavier, lined window coverings while 'curtains' may be lighter.
3. a sterile sheet or cloth placed over a person during an operation or medical exa
a sterile sheet or cloth placed over a person during an operation or medical examination to keep the area being treated clean and free from germs
The nurse placed a sterile drape over the patient's abdomen before the incision.
medical: sterile drape placed over patient before surgery
Dr. Anong placed a sterile drape over the patient's leg before knee surgery.
medical: surgeon places sterile drape before specific procedure
The medical team positioned the blue surgical drape so that only the knee remained visible.
A sterile drape covered the instrument tray next to the operating table.
The surgeon pulled the adhesive drape over the incision to keep it dry.
用法筆記
Technically specific to medical contexts. 'Drape' in this sense refers to any sterile barrier, which may be cloth, paper, or plastic. Not used in everyday conversation.