# curtains

/ˈkɝtənz/ (US) · /kˈɜːtənz/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. window coverings

noun · CEFR A1

pieces of cloth that you pull across a window to keep light out or for privacy.

For teachers: fabric panels hung to screen a window from light or observation. Usually plural in this sense.

- She pulled the curtains closed so the neighbors couldn't see inside.
- The heavy velvet curtains effectively blocked the morning glare, allowing the guests to sleep undisturbed until noon.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form when referring to a pair of window coverings.

### 2. the end

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

the end of something, or a situation where there is no hope left.

For teachers: the final end or ruin of something; often used to signal that a situation has reached a point of no return.

- If the boss finds out about this mistake, it's curtains for my career.
- Once the main engine failed in the middle of the ocean, the crew knew it was curtains for their chances of winning the race.

Usage: Almost always used in the construction 'it is curtains for [someone/something]'.

### 3. to provide with curtains

verb · CEFR B2

to hang cloth over a window or to divide a room.

For teachers: to provide or decorate a space with curtains. Third-person singular present form.

- He curtains the large windows every winter to keep the heat inside.
- The interior designer curtains the study with sheer silk to maintain a sense of openness while providing a soft barrier against the sun.

## Examples

- She closed the curtains to keep the room dark.
- The heavy velvet curtains in the hotel room blocked out the morning sun completely.
- Interior designers often choose sheer curtains to soften the incoming light while maintaining a sense of openness within the living space.

---

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.