🌍 American vs British · vocabulary

drapes vs curtains

Fabric panels hung over a window to block light or provide privacy.

American
drapes

“Close the drapes before you turn on the projector in the living room.”

British
curtains

“Close the curtains before you turn on the projector in the living room.”

Good to know

Americans use "drapes" (or "draperies") for heavier window coverings, while "curtains" is universal in both dialects. In Britain "drapes" is rarely used and can sound American or theatrical.

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