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to curtain

to curtain

9 5.8
To hang cloth to cover or hide something
  • verb
  • /ˈkɜrtən/
translation icon : cubrir con cortinas
  • She curtained the windows to block the bright sunlight.
  • curtained room
  • curtained stage

Examples

Synonyms

to cover
vsto curtain
1.0

To put something over another thing to protect or hide it

does this specifically by hanging a vertical piece of material
to shroud
vsto curtain
38 6.0

To cover something completely, often with a cloth

involves hanging fabric to screen or enclose without full wrapping
to veil
vsto curtain
24 5.0

To cover something so others cannot easily see or understand it

is specifically a hung fabric that screens visually, not just metaphorically
to canopy
vsto curtain
3 5.5

To cover something with cloth or leaves to give shade

uses a hanging front or side fabric to screen, not mainly top sheltering
to enshroud
vsto curtain
  • Literature
1 8.2

To cover something completely so you cannot see or understand it

is the action of hanging material to screen, not complete concealment
to curtain off
vsto curtain
4.3

To make part of a room private by closing a curtain

is used to screen or enclose rather than primarily divide space
to sheathe
vsto curtain
6.5

To cover something with a protective layer, for example metal, leather or plastic

relies on suspending cloth to hide or screen rather than tight encasing

Antonyms

2.3

Show something that was hidden or secret

37 2.7

Remove a cover to show what is under it

Idioms

To start a show by lifting the curtain

Phrasal Verbs

To close a curtain by pulling it across a window

To make part of a room private by closing a curtain

Compounds

A curtain that hangs around a bathtub or shower to keep water inside

7 4.3

A moment at the end of a show when actors return to the stage to thank the audience for applause

The end of a performance, especially a play or show

3 4.1

A thin decorative cloth for a window that lets light in but hides the view

iron curtain
  • Literature
2 6.8

A strong political barrier that separated Eastern and Western Europe during the Cold War

1 1.4

A small metal or plastic loop that hangs a curtain on a rod

curtain airbag
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A bag along a car roof that inflates to protect people's heads in side crashes and rollovers

1 6.0

A moment when a play or show ends and the curtain comes down

side curtain airbag
  • Specialized
1 3.3

A large bag that inflates above side windows to protect heads in a side crash

A short event or performance that comes before the main show

1 2.8

Thin curtain with small holes that lets light in but stops people outside from seeing in

A heavy fireproof curtain lowered between the stage and audience to stop a fire from spreading

A short thin curtain that hangs partway up a window to let in light and give privacy

The final part of a show when the stage curtain goes down

An opening performance of a play or show

curtain lecture
  • Archaic
9.9

A private scolding that a wife gives her husband in the bedroom

drop curtain
  • Specialized
5.1

A large curtain hung above the stage that lowers to make background scenery

bamboo curtain
  • Archaic
8.6

A barrier that kept China separate from other countries, stopping travel, news, and contact

ratty curtain
  • Informal
3.6

A curtain that is old, torn, and dirty

A large heavy cloth that hides the stage and opens or closes for a show

How Covered

to seal
457 2.5
to shroud
38 6.0
to curtain
9 5.8
to screen
29 3.9

Surface Forms

curtain infinitive
curtained past
curtained past participle
curtaining present participle
curtains third person singular

Etymology

The verb curtain shares the same root cohors ('enclosure'), the same source as court, and originally meant to close or enclose with a hanging cloth. So to curtain something today is to cover or screen it with fabric to hide or protect it.