curtain

IPA/ˈkɜːtn/
KK[kˈɚtən]IPA/ˈkɜːrtn/

curtain — noun

  • curtainsingular
  • curtainsplural

1. a rectangular sheet of fabric that can be slid or drawn sideways to cover an ope

1.nounA2
Definition

a rectangular sheet of fabric that can be slid or drawn sideways to cover an opening, commonly fitted at windows to control light or prevent people outside from seeing in.

Example

Lakshmi pulled the curtain aside to let in the morning sunlight.

verb + curtain aside

Thick velvet curtains kept the cold air from coming through the old window.

collocation: thick curtains / draw the curtains

Common collocations
  • draw the curtains
  • close the curtains
  • open the curtains
  • pull the curtain aside
  • curtain fabric
  • lace curtain
  • velvet curtain
  • shower curtain
Synonyms
  • drape

    heavier, more decorative curtain, usually floor-length

  • blind

    made of hard or stiff material on a roller; does not have fabric folds

Grammar Patterns

usually plural: 'the curtains'

Usage Note

Often used in the plural form 'curtains' even when referring to a single window, especially when there are two matching panels that meet in the middle.

Common Mistakes

I opened the curtain to let in some air.' (for a window covering made of slats).
I opened the curtain to let in some light.
A 'curtain' is made of fabric; a 'blind' or 'shutter' is made of hard material.

2. a thick mass of something such as smoke, fog, rain, or mist that blocks the view

2.nounB2
Definition

a thick mass of something such as smoke, fog, rain, or mist that blocks the view of what is behind it.

Example

A thick curtain of smoke rose from the burning building, making it hard to see.

pattern: a curtain of [substance]

The driver could hardly see the road through the curtain of heavy rain.

Common collocations
  • curtain of smoke
  • curtain of rain
  • curtain of mist
  • curtain of fog
  • curtain of darkness
  • curtain of secrecy
Synonyms
  • veil

    suggests a thinner or more delicate layer that conceals

  • screen

    a flat, upright surface that hides things; less poetic than 'curtain'

Grammar Patterns

a curtain of + [substance]

Usage Note

Typically appears in the pattern 'a curtain of + noun' where the noun is an obscuring substance (smoke, fog, rain, mist, darkness, snow). The same pattern is used metaphorically: 'a curtain of secrecy,' 'a curtain of silence.'

3. a large sheet of heavy material positioned at the front of a theatre stage that

3.nounB1
Definition

a large sheet of heavy material positioned at the front of a theatre stage that is raised or pulled aside at the start of a performance and closed afterwards to conceal the stage.

Example

The audience clapped loudly as the curtain rose on the first act.

set phrase: the curtain rises

After the final bow, the curtain fell slowly, ending the performance.

set phrase: the curtain falls

Common collocations
  • the curtain rises
  • the curtain falls
  • behind the curtain
  • raise the curtain
  • lower the curtain
  • stage curtain
  • velvet curtain
Synonyms
  • drop

    the painted cloth that is lowered onto a stage; a type of theatre curtain

Grammar Patterns

the curtain rises/falls

behind the curtain

Usage Note

The phrase 'raise the curtain' / 'the curtain rises' signals the start of a performance; 'lower the curtain' / 'the curtain falls' signals the end. These are used both literally in theatre and metaphorically in other contexts.

Common Mistakes

The actors bowed before the curtain fell.' (implied sequence confusion).
The actors took their bows and then the curtain fell.
The bow happens while the curtain is still open.

4. a hairstyle in which the hair is parted at the centre and falls evenly down both

4.nounB2
Definition

a hairstyle in which the hair is parted at the centre and falls evenly down both sides of the face, usually at chin or shoulder length.

Example

In the 1990s teenagers wore their hair in a curtain that covered half the face.

historical style reference

Beatrix styled her hair into a curtain with a sharp middle part and straight sides.

Common collocations
  • curtain hairstyle
  • curtain bangs
  • centre part
  • middle parting
  • curtain cut
Synonyms
  • centre parting

    describes the part line itself, not the full hairstyle

  • curtain bangs

    the front fringe version of the style, not the full head of hair

Usage Note

Often called 'curtain bangs' when referring specifically to fringe that is parted in the middle. The style is also referred to as a 'centre parting' but 'curtain' specifically describes the way the hair frames the face like open drapes.

Idioms

curtain call

idiom

the moment at the end of a theatre performance when the actors return to the stage to bow as the audience applauds.

The cast came out for three curtain calls after the final scene.

The lead actress received a standing ovation at her curtain call.

be curtains for somebody

idiom

to be the end of something pleasant or successful for someone, often because of death, failure, or ruin.

If the company loses this contract, it will be curtains for the whole business.

When the police found the evidence, it was curtains for the criminal's escape plan.

bring down the curtain on something

idiom

to cause something to come to an end, especially an event, a period of time, or an institution.

The final performance brought down the curtain on the theatre's fifty-year history.

The new law brought down the curtain on an era of unrestricted logging.

draw the curtain (on something)

idiom

to put an end to something or to hide something from view; also used literally meaning to pull a curtain either open or closed.

After the scandal, the family drew the curtain on their life in politics.

The witness asked to draw the curtain on that part of the story.

be curtains (for somebody)

idiom

It means that a situation is hopeless or that someone cannot escape from it.

When the engine failed over the ocean, the pilot knew it was curtains for him.

If the police find the evidence, it will be curtains for the thief.

curtain — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to window coverings, but they differ in material, mechanism, and style. A 'curtain' is made of fabric that hangs in folds from a rod and can be pulled to the sides; it is the most common and general term. A 'drape' is a heavier, often floor-length curtain that hangs in more structured folds and is typically more decorative. A 'blind' is a hard or semi-hard covering made of slats or a single sheet of material (vinyl, wood, metal) that rolls up, folds, or tilts to control light; it is more modern and practical than a curtain. A 'shade' is usually a single piece of fabric that rolls or folds up from the bottom, while a 'shutter' is a solid panel of wood or vinyl with slats that can be tilted, mounted inside or outside the window frame. For example: 'She chose floral curtains for the living room, but installed blinds in the bathroom.' 'We fitted wooden shutters on the street-facing windows for extra security.'

drape ↗blind ↗shade ↗shutter ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • window curtain
  • shower curtain
  • stage curtain
  • lace curtain
  • velvet curtain
  • curtain fabric
  • curtain rod
  • curtain hook

Adverbs

Phrases

  • draw the curtains
  • open the curtains
  • close the curtains
  • pull the curtain aside
  • curtain rises
  • curtain falls

Prepositions

  • behind the curtain
  • through the curtain
  • around the curtain
  • across the curtain

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'curtain' entered English in the 13th century from Old French 'cortine' or 'curtine', which came from Late Latin 'cortina', meaning 'a round vessel, a cauldron' — and later 'a curtain'. The shift in meaning may have come from the idea of something that hangs down or encloses, much like a hanging cloth around a bed or a tent-like enclosure. The modern meaning of 'a hanging screen for a window or door' developed in Middle English by the 14th century.