drape

/dreɪp/ (bre, ipa) · /dreɪp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdrāp/ (ame, mw)

drapepresent simple I / you / we / they
drapeshe / she / it
drapedpast simple
draping-ing form

1.動詞及物B1

釋義

to put a piece of cloth, clothing, or other soft material loosely over or around something so that it hangs in folds

例句

Wei carefully draped a silk scarf over the back of the wooden chair.

drape + object + over + noun phrase

The nurse draped a clean white sheet across the examination table.

drape + across + surface

同義詞

hang
more general; 'hang' doesn't imply loose folds or decorative arrangement ('hang a picture' vs 'drape a shawl')
cover
broader meaning; 'cover' can be tight or flat, while 'drape' specifically means loose and folded
wrap
suggests enclosing or winding around, while 'drape' is more about placing loosely on top

文法句型

drape + object + over/around/across/on + noun phrase

用法筆記

Object is typically fabric or clothing (scarf, coat, sheet, towel). The preposition tells you the position: 'over' for covering the top, 'around' for wrapping, 'across' for spreading sideways.

常見錯誤

❌He draped a cloth on the table tightly.

✅He draped a cloth loosely over the table.

💡'drape' implies a loose, fold-forming arrangement, not a tight or flat one.

❌She draped the letter on the shelf.

✅She draped the scarf over the shelf.

💡'drape' is only used for soft, flexible materials like cloth, not for rigid objects like paper.

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B1

釋義

to be loosely covered or decorated with cloth or other soft material that hangs in folds, or for the material itself to hang in loose folds

例句

The old sofa was draped in a thick woollen blanket to hide the stains.

passive: be draped in + material

Nadia's shoulders were draped with a beautiful handwoven shawl.

passive: be draped with + material

同義詞

hang
more neutral; 'drape' specifically emphasises loose, decorative folds
fall
describes the downward movement of fabric but less common for deliberate covering

文法句型

be draped in/with + noun

subject + drape + adverb

用法筆記

This sense often appears in the passive voice ('was draped in/with'). As an intransitive verb, it describes how fabric naturally falls or hangs.

常見錯誤

❌She draped in a red dress.

✅She was draped in a red dress.

💡The passive form is needed when describing what someone is wearing or covered with.

❌The cloth draped over the table by me.

✅I draped the cloth over the table.

💡Use active voice (sense 1) when a person is doing the action.

3.動詞及物B1

釋義

to place a part of your body, such as an arm or a leg, loosely and comfortably over or on something, often in a relaxed or careless way

例句

Mateo draped his arm lazily over the back of the park bench.

drape + body part + over + surface

Elena draped her legs over the arm of the sofa while she read her book.

同義詞

rest
more neutral; 'rest' doesn't convey the relaxed, almost careless quality that 'drape' does
sprawl
suggests a more untidy or spread-out position, often of the whole body
lay
more deliberate or careful; 'lay' lacks the casual, loose quality of 'drape'

反義詞

lift
to raise a body part away from a surface

文法句型

drape + body part + over/around/across + noun phrase

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person. The body part is typically an arm, leg, or hand, and the action suggests relaxation or tiredness rather than formality.

常見錯誤

❌He draped his book over the table.

✅He draped his arm over the table.

💡This sense only works for body parts, not objects.

❌She draped carefully her legs over the chair.

✅She draped her legs loosely over the chair.

💡Adverbs like 'loosely', 'lazily', 'casually' fit best because the action is relaxed.

drapesingular
drapesplural

1.名詞B2

釋義

the way a piece of cloth or clothing hangs, falls, or forms folds when it covers something, especially when this creates an elegant or pleasing appearance

例句

The designer admired the elegant drape of the velvet evening gown on the mannequin.

the drape of + clothing

This silk fabric has a beautiful drape that makes it ideal for curtains.

同義詞

hang
more general; 'hang' can refer to any position, while 'drape' implies soft, flowing folds
fall
focuses on the downward motion of fabric rather than its arrangement
folds
more specific to the creased layers of fabric; 'drape' is the overall effect

文法句型

the drape of + noun

用法筆記

Used mainly in fashion or interior design contexts. Often appears with adjectives like 'elegant', 'soft', 'beautiful', or 'natural'.

常見錯誤

❌The drape of the paper was nice.

✅The drape of the silk was nice.

💡'drape' describes how soft fabric hangs; it is not used for rigid materials like paper or plastic.

❌The drapes were beautiful.' (when you mean the way fabric hangs)

✅The drape of the curtains was beautiful.

💡'the drape' (singular) = the way it hangs; 'drapes' (plural) = the curtains themselves.

2.名詞B1

釋義

long heavy curtains made of thick cloth, used to cover windows and usually hung in pairs

例句

The living room had thick velvet drapes that blocked out all the sunlight.

plural form: drapes

Nora pulled the drapes open to let the morning light stream into the bedroom.

同義詞

curtains
more general term; 'curtains' can be light or heavy, while 'drapes' are specifically heavy
drapery
a formal or decorative term for curtains and hanging fabrics in general

文法句型

plural: drapes

用法筆記

Commonly used in American English. In British English, 'curtains' is more common for any window covering, though 'drapes' specifically suggests heavier fabric. Usually appears in the plural form.

常見錯誤

❌She bought a drape for the window.

✅She bought drapes for the window.

💡'drapes' is almost always used in the plural, even for a single window.

❌The drapes are made of thin cotton.

✅Drapes are typically made of thick or heavy fabric.

💡If the material is light or thin, 'curtains' or 'sheers' may be more accurate.

3.名詞C1

釋義

a piece of sterile cloth or paper material placed over a patient's body during a medical operation or examination to keep the area clean and prevent infection

例句

The surgeon carefully placed a sterile drape over the patient's lower body.

sterile drape — medical collocation

The nurse unfolded the blue surgical drape and positioned it around the wound.

同義詞

covering
a general term; lacks the specific medical and sterile connotations

文法句型

a sterile/surgical drape

用法筆記

A specialised medical term. Outside of hospitals or clinics, this sense is rarely used. The material can be cloth (reusable, washed and sterilised) or disposable paper/plastic.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor used a drape to cover the patient's body.' (vague)

✅The surgeon placed a sterile drape over the incision site.

💡In medical contexts, specify 'sterile' or 'surgical' drape, as it has a specific hygiene function.

❌The nurse threw a drape over the patient casually.

✅The nurse positioned the sterile drape carefully over the patient.

💡Medical drapes are placed with care to maintain sterility.

drape

drape — verb

1. to put a piece of cloth, clothing, or other soft material loosely over or around

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

2. to be loosely covered or decorated with cloth or other soft material that hangs

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

3. to place a part of your body, such as an arm or a leg, loosely and comfortably o

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

drape — noun

1. the way a piece of cloth or clothing hangs, falls, or forms folds when it covers

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

2. long heavy curtains made of thick cloth, used to cover windows and usually hung

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

3. a piece of sterile cloth or paper material placed over a patient's body during a

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤