# curtain

/ˈkɝtən/ (US) · /kˈɜːtən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/curtain
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. window covering

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- She pulled the curtains shut to keep the room cool during the hot afternoon.
- The heavy velvet curtains effectively blocked the streetlights, allowing the guests to sleep undisturbed by the city traffic.

### 2. theatre stage

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- The audience went quiet as the curtain rose and the play began.
- After the final scene, the curtain fell to thunderous applause, only to rise again for the cast's curtain call.

### 3. the end

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

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

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

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

### 4. fortified wall

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- The soldiers patrolled the curtain wall between the two main towers of the castle.
- The medieval fortress featured a massive curtain wall designed to withstand prolonged sieges by heavy artillery.

### 5. to cover with cloth

verb · CEFR B2

to hang curtains over a window or around a bed.

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

- The four-poster bed was curtained with fine white silk.
- The mist curtained the valley, making it impossible for the hikers to see the path ahead.

## Examples

- Please close the curtains so the sun doesn't wake me up.
- The audience fell silent as the heavy velvet curtain rose to reveal the elaborate set design.
- While sheer curtains allow natural light to permeate the room, blackout linings are essential for those who require total darkness to maintain a healthy sleep cycle.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.