drapery

[ drey-puh-ree ]

noun

, plural drap·er·ies.

1. coverings, hangings, clothing, etc., of fabric, especially as arranged in loose, graceful folds.
2. Often draperies. long curtains, usually of heavy fabric and often designed to open and close across a window.
3. the draping or arranging of hangings, clothing, etc., in graceful folds.
4. Art. hangings, clothing, etc., as represented in sculpture or painting.
5. cloths or textile fabrics collectively.
6. British.
   1. dry goods.
   2. the stock, shop, or business of a draper.

drapery

/ ˈdreɪpərɪ /

noun

1. fabric or clothing arranged and draped
2. often plural curtains or hangings that drape
3. the occupation or shop of a draper
4. fabrics and cloth collectively

Derived Forms

• ˈdraperied, adjective

Other Words From

• drap·er·ied adjective
• un·dra·per·ied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of drapery¹

1250–1300; Middle English draperie < Old French, equivalent to drap cloth + -erie -ery

Example Sentences

After dropping out of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, she moved to Malibu and started a company called Kurtain Kraft, which created a product that used wire hangers and fabric to create window drapery.

From Los Angeles Times

Upstairs, the silk damask draperies, crystal chandeliers and sumptuous beds feel opulent and the rooms are simply huge.

From Seattle Times

Her paintings contain visual throwbacks to the gilding and draperies of Renaissance paintings, yet also represent stars from films and pop culture.

From New York Times

In one Center City apartment Gray’s company worked on, drapery panels took the focus away from unattractive radiators.

From Seattle Times

Once the wallpaper is hung, don’t be afraid to hang decorative accessories like pictures and drapery.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• decoration
• drape
• screen
• shade
• shroud
• shutter
• veil