ENGLISH
REFERENCE

curtain

n. · v.
US //ˈkɝtən// UK //kˈɜːtən// cur·tain
  1. 1 window covering (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a piece of cloth that hangs down to cover a window, keep out light, or give you privacy.

    a hanging piece of fabric used to cover a window, typically to control light entry or ensure privacy.

    Example

    She pulled the curtains shut to keep the room cool during the hot afternoon.

    Example

    The heavy velvet curtains effectively blocked the streetlights, allowing the guests to sleep undisturbed by the city traffic.
  2. 2 theatre stage (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Theatre

    the large, heavy cloth that separates the audience from the stage in a theatre.

    the large screen of cloth used in a theatre to separate the stage from the auditorium.

    Example

    The audience went quiet as the curtain rose and the play began.

    Example

    After the final scene, the curtain fell to thunderous applause, only to rise again for the cast's curtain call.
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 the end (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Humorous

    the end of something, like a show or even a person's life.

    the conclusion or end of an event or period; often used in the plural 'curtains' to signify a final, often disastrous, end.

    Example

    If the boss finds out about this mistake, it will be curtains for my career.

    Example

    The veteran actor knew it was the final curtain for his long career on the West End stage.

    Usage

    Often used in the plural form 'curtains' in a metaphorical or humorous sense.
  2. 4 fortified wall (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Architecture

    a straight part of a castle wall that connects two towers.

    the part of a fortified wall that connects two bastions, towers, or similar structures.

    Example

    The soldiers patrolled the curtain wall between the two main towers of the castle.

    Example

    The medieval fortress featured a massive curtain wall designed to withstand prolonged sieges by heavy artillery.
  3. 5 to cover with cloth (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to hang curtains over a window or around a bed.

    to provide or shut off with curtains; to conceal or screen as if with a curtain.

    Example

    The four-poster bed was curtained with fine white silk.

    Example

    The mist curtained the valley, making it impossible for the hikers to see the path ahead.
Origin

Inherited from Middle English curtine, from Old French cortine, from Late Latin cōrtīna (“curtain”), a calque from Ancient Greek.

Idioms4 entries

© 2026 English Reference