curtain
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a piece of cloth that hangs down to cover a window, keep out light, or give you privacy.
n.a hanging piece of fabric used to cover a window, typically to control light entry or ensure privacy.
Simple“She pulled the curtains shut to keep the room cool during the hot afternoon.”
In context“The heavy velvet curtains effectively blocked the streetlights, allowing the guests to sleep undisturbed by the city traffic.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
n.the large, heavy cloth that separates the audience from the stage in a theatre.
n.the large screen of cloth used in a theatre to separate the stage from the auditorium.
Simple“The audience went quiet as the curtain rose and the play began.”
In context“After the final scene, the curtain fell to thunderous applause, only to rise again for the cast's curtain call.”
Synonymsbackdropdrapery - 03 C1 Advanced
n.the end of something, like a show or even a person's life.
n.the conclusion or end of an event or period; often used in the plural 'curtains' to signify a final, often disastrous, end.
Simple“If the boss finds out about this mistake, it will be curtains for my career.”
In context“The veteran actor knew it was the final curtain for his long career on the West End stage.”
UsageOften used in the plural form 'curtains' in a metaphorical or humorous sense.
Synonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a straight part of a castle wall that connects two towers.
n.the part of a fortified wall that connects two bastions, towers, or similar structures.
Simple“The soldiers patrolled the curtain wall between the two main towers of the castle.”
In context“The medieval fortress featured a massive curtain wall designed to withstand prolonged sieges by heavy artillery.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to hang curtains over a window or around a bed.
v.to provide or shut off with curtains; to conceal or screen as if with a curtain.
Simple“The four-poster bed was curtained with fine white silk.”
In context“The mist curtained the valley, making it impossible for the hikers to see the path ahead.”
Inherited from Middle English curtine, from Old French cortine, from Late Latin cōrtīna (“curtain”), a calque from Ancient Greek.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.