drapes
drapes — verb
- drapespresent simple I / you / we / they
- drapeses3rd person singular
- drapesing-ing form
- drapesedpast simple
1. to put a piece of cloth or fabric over or around something, often loosely or for
to put a piece of cloth or fabric over or around something, often loosely or for decoration
Rohan draped a blanket over the worn sofa to hide the stains on the cushions.
pattern: drape + object + over + surface
Isabela draped a white linen cloth over the table before setting out the plates.
Yan draped a thick woollen scarf around his neck to keep warm in the freezing wind.
The photographer draped a dark sheet over the window to block the afternoon sun.
Chidi draped a clean towel over the baby's shoulders after the bath.
- uncover
to remove a covering
文法句型
drape + object + with/in + material
drape + material + over/around + object
用法筆記
Often used with prepositions 'over', 'around', or 'with' to show where the cloth is placed. The object draped is usually the cloth itself, not the thing being covered.
常見錯誤
2. to put or place something, especially a part of the body or an item of clothing,
to put or place something, especially a part of the body or an item of clothing, loosely and casually over or on something
Anna draped her jacket over the back of the chair the moment she sat down.
pattern: drape + clothing + over + furniture
Dewi draped her arm over the side of the boat, letting her fingers trail in the water.
pattern: drape + body part + over + object
The cat draped itself lazily across the pile of warm laundry on the bed.
Ziad draped his leg over the arm of the sofa while scrolling through his phone.
Iker draped his suit jacket over the park bench before sitting down to eat his lunch.
文法句型
drape + object + over/across/on + surface
drape + body part + over + object
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (COVER WITH CLOTH), this sense emphasises casual or careless placement rather than deliberate covering or decoration. The object is often a piece of clothing, a body part, or a flexible item placed over a projecting surface.
3. to position cloth or fabric so that it falls into soft, flowing curves and creas
to position cloth or fabric so that it falls into soft, flowing curves and creases, usually for a decorative or intentional look
The designer draped the silk fabric in soft waves around the window frame.
pattern: drape + fabric + in + shape description
Eve draped the wedding veil so that it fell in elegant folds down the bride's back.
Noa carefully draped the cashmere shawl so the embroidered pattern showed on both sides.
Sade draped the satin fabric into soft, even pleats around the sides of the display table.
Rohan draped the bunting in gentle curves between the posts for the garden party.
文法句型
drape + fabric + in/into + folds/pleats
drape + fabric + so that + result
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (COVER WITH CLOTH): this sense focuses on the skill or artistry of arranging fabric into a particular shape, not simply on covering something.
4. to fall, hang, or become arranged in soft folds — used of cloth or fabric descri
to fall, hang, or become arranged in soft folds — used of cloth or fabric describing its natural behaviour when hung or worn
The velvet curtains draped all the way to the floor in deep, even folds.
pattern: fabric + drapes + adverb/prepositional phrase describing result
This Italian wool fabric drapes beautifully and never looks stiff or heavy.
intransitive use: material + drapes + manner adverb
The heavy silk of her evening gown draped softly over her shoulders.
The linen tablecloth draped unevenly because the table was slightly tilted on one side.
Cheaper polyester curtains do not drape as well as natural cotton or linen ones.
文法句型
fabric + drapes + adverb
material + drapes + prepositional phrase
用法筆記
This is the only intransitive sense of 'drape'. The subject is always a type of cloth, garment, or hanging fabric. It describes a quality or behaviour of the material rather than an action by a person.
常見錯誤
5. to cover a patient's body or a specific area with a sterilised cloth or sheet du
to cover a patient's body or a specific area with a sterilised cloth or sheet during a medical or surgical procedure, in order to prevent infection
Before the operation, the nurse draped the patient's body with sterile blue sheets.
passive: be draped with + sterile material (medical context)
The surgeon's assistant carefully draped the area around the wound with a clear adhesive sheet.
Dr. Rohan asked the team to drape the patient's arm before inserting the intravenous line.
The medical student practised how to drape a patient correctly for a lumbar puncture procedure.
The nurse draped the child's legs with warm sterile towels before the doctor began the examination.
- expose
to uncover or reveal the area
文法句型
drape + patient/body part + with + sterile cloth
be draped with + material
用法筆記
Used primarily in medical contexts. The passive form ('the patient was draped with sterile sheets') is very common in clinical notes and procedural descriptions. In everyday English, this sense is rare.
drapes — noun
1. long pieces of cloth that hang over a window and are designed to be pulled acros
long pieces of cloth that hang over a window and are designed to be pulled across to control light, provide privacy, or add decoration to a room — they can be made from lightweight fabrics like cotton or from heavier lined materials such as velvet
Noa pulled open the heavy drapes to let the morning sunlight into the living room.
collocation: pull open / pull shut + drapes
Thin white drapes let in the morning light but still gave the room some privacy.
collocation: thin drapes / heavy drapes for different fabric weights
Bilal's grandmother sewed new drapes for every window in her house.
Dust from the old drapes made Camille sneeze whenever she touched them.
Those red velvet drapes in the theater have been hanging there since the 1950s.
文法句型
plural: drapes + plural verb
a pair of drapes
用法筆記
In American English, 'drapes' (always plural) is the everyday word for fabric window coverings. 'Curtains' is also used but may suggest lighter fabric. In British English, 'curtains' is preferred for both light and heavy window coverings. A set for one window is still called 'drapes' (plural), never 'a drape'.
常見錯誤
2. the way a piece of cloth, clothing, or curtain material hangs, falls, or forms f
the way a piece of cloth, clothing, or curtain material hangs, falls, or forms folds when it is suspended or worn
The dress has a beautiful drape that moves gracefully when you walk.
pattern: have/has + a + adjective + drape
Chidi chose a heavier cotton for the curtains because it has a better drape than the thin polyester.
The drape of this silk blouse makes it suitable for both office wear and evening dinners.
A skilled tailor can tell from the drape of the fabric whether it will suit the customer's design.
The soft drape of the velvet added a sense of luxury to the room's decoration.
文法句型
the drape of + noun
possessive + drape
用法筆記
Used evaluatively ('good drape', 'beautiful drape') to comment on how well a fabric works for a particular purpose. Not used for individual permanent folds, but for the overall behaviour of the material.
3. a sterilised sheet of cloth, paper, or clear plastic placed over a person during
a sterilised sheet of cloth, paper, or clear plastic placed over a person during an operation or medical check-up so the area stays free of harmful bacteria
The nurse placed a sterile drape over the patient's leg before the doctor made the incision.
Surgical drapes are disposed of after each operation to prevent the spread of infection.
collocation: surgical drape(s)
The doctor removed the drape once the examination was finished and the samples had been taken.
The operating room assistant handed the surgeon a folded drape from the sealed sterile package.
A clear plastic drape allowed the medical team to watch the patient's skin during the procedure.
- operating sheet
describes a specific type of full-body sterile covering
- sterile field cover
technical term in surgical nursing
文法句型
surgical drape
sterile drape
用法筆記
In medical contexts, the singular 'drape' is commonly used for an individual sterile sheet, while 'drapes' (plural) refers to the full set of coverings used in a procedure. This sense is distinct from the everyday use of 'drapes' meaning window curtains.