curtain
KURTN
Curtain (noun) means a hanging piece of fabric used to cover a window or separate spaces. Example: “She drew the curtains to block out the morning sun.”
noun
1
A hanging piece of fabric used to cover a window or separate spaces.
"She drew the curtains to block out the morning sun."
"A heavy velvet curtain hung between the stage and the audience."
"The curtain rail came loose, so the whole curtain fell down in the night."
2
The point at which a theater performance begins or ends.
"Curtain is at eight, so we should leave now."
"Please be seated before the curtain goes up, or you will miss the opening."
"When the curtain fell, the audience stood and cheered for the cast."
verb
1
To fit a room or window with curtains, or to conceal something as if behind one.
"They curtained off a corner of the studio for changing."
"We curtained every window in the nursery so the baby could nap in the daytime."
"The nurse curtained off the bed to give the patient some privacy."
How to use curtain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFabric hung to cover a window or stage, or (as a verb) to hang or screen something off with fabric.
Common pairings
draw the curtains
curtain call
behind the curtain
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Word forms
- Plural
- curtains
- Third person singular
- curtains
- Past tense
- curtained
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She drew the _____ to block out the morning sun.
Etymology
From Old French cortine, from Late Latin cortina, "curtain" — itself a loan-translation of a Greek word.
Related words
Rhymes for curtain
See all rhymes for curtain →Frequently asked questions
What does “curtain” mean?
The word “curtain” means a hanging piece of fabric used to cover a window or separate spaces. In plain terms, fabric hung to cover a window or stage, or (as a verb) to hang or screen something off with fabric.
How do you pronounce “curtain”?
“Curtain” is pronounced KURTN (/ˈkɜɹt(ə)n/ in IPA).
How do you use “curtain” in a sentence?
Here is “curtain” used in a sentence: “She drew the curtains to block out the morning sun.”
What is another word for “curtain”?
Words with a similar meaning to “curtain” include becurtain.
What part of speech is “curtain”?
Depending on how it is used, “curtain” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “curtain” come from?
The word “curtain” comes from Late Latin. From Old French cortine, from Late Latin cortina, "curtain" — itself a loan-translation of a Greek word.
Is “curtain” a common word?
“Curtain” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “curtain” have?
“Curtain” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hanging piece of fabric used to cover a window or separate spaces.
What is the difference between curtain and drape?
Curtain and drape both refer to hanging fabric used to cover a window, but drape often implies heavier, more formal fabric, especially in American English, while curtain is the more general term used across contexts.
What is the difference between a curtain and a blind?
A curtain is a hanging piece of fabric used to cover a window, while a blind is typically made of slats or a solid material that can be raised, lowered, or rotated to control light. Curtains are soft and fabric-based, whereas blinds are usually rigid or slatted.
What does 'curtain' mean in theater?
In theater, curtain refers to the point at which a performance begins or ends, often marked by the literal raising or lowering of the stage curtain. Phrases like 'curtain time' or 'final curtain' use this sense.
What does it mean to 'curtain' a room?
To curtain a room means to fit it with curtains, or more broadly to conceal something as if hiding it behind a curtain. This verb use extends the noun's sense of covering or concealment.
