Word
drapery
Phoneticsdrap·ery
US/ˈdɹeɪpɝi/
UK/dɹˈeɪpəɹi/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. heavy cloth that hangs in soft folds, used as curtains or to decorate a room or stage.
n. heavy fabric arranged in loose folds as curtains or decoration, or the depiction of such folds in art.
Examples
“She chooses new drapery for the living room windows.”
“The hotel lobby uses tall velvet drapery to block light and make the entrance feel warm.”
“In the portrait, the painter rendered the drapery with such care that the heavy silk seemed to move despite the stillness of the room.”
Examples
simple
“She chooses new drapery for the living room windows.”
contextual
“The hotel lobby uses tall velvet drapery to block light and make the entrance feel warm.”
complex
“In the portrait, the painter rendered the drapery with such care that the heavy silk seemed to move despite the stillness of the room.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “drapery” in context.
Verb
01. arrange drapery
“The designer arranged the drapery in soft, even folds.”
verb + noun
02. drapery billows
“The light drapery billows gently when the windows are open.”
noun + verb
03. drapery falls
“The silk drapery falls in graceful folds around the window.”
noun + verb
04. drapery hangs
“Dark drapery hangs from the ceiling to the floor.”
noun + verb
05. draw drapery
“She drew the drapery to shut out the bright street lights.”
verb + noun
06. hang drapery
“They hung heavy drapery to make the hall feel warmer in winter.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. elegant drapery
“The ballroom windows were dressed with elegant drapery in cream silk.”
adj + noun
08. flowing drapery
“She wore a dress with flowing drapery that moved in the breeze.”
adj + noun
09. heavy drapery
“Heavy drapery blocked out the sunlight and kept the room cool.”
adj + noun
Noun
10. fold of drapery
“She adjusted a fold of drapery to let in more light.”
noun + prep + noun
11. adorned with elegant drapery
“The hall was adorned with elegant drapery for the ceremony.”
12. draw back the drapery
“She drew back the drapery to reveal a stunning view of the garden.”
Etymology
From Middle English draperie, from Old French draperie, from drap (“drape, sheet, large cloth”), ultimately of Germanic origin.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/drapery