draper

noun

drap·​er ˈdrā-pər How to pronounce draper (audio)
chiefly British
: a dealer in cloth and sometimes also in clothing and dry goods

Examples of draper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Buy Now on Thom Browne: $190 Shop Now on Matches Fashion Shop Now on Nordstrom Liberty London Imran Silk Tie Founded in 1875 by Arthur Liberty, the son of a Buckinghamshire draper, Liberty of London quickly became known for its floral print fabrics. Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2023 An old draper's table serves as a second island. Krissa Rossbund, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2022 The honor of directly observing the first sperm rests with Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, a 17th-century Dutch draper with a side interest in science—specifically, building microscopes and coming up with innovative manufacturing methods to make better lenses for said microscopes. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 31 July 2020 Lisa drove slowly, between five and six miles per hour, as the combine’s forty-foot-wide draper head cut the wheat with sickles that looked like oversized shark teeth. Michael Holtz, The New Yorker, 22 July 2022 Bertie’s stint as assistant schoolmaster under a family friend suited him better but ended when the school closed; another round of trials as apprentice pharmacist, draper, and trainee teacher followed. Stephanie Burt, The New Republic, 29 Mar. 2022 That same greenery accented the mantelpieces and serving tables and ran the length of the old draper’s table at which the guests sat. New York Times, 20 Dec. 2021 At age 14, he was apprenticed in a draper’s shop, a soul-killing job the boy hated. Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2021 The poet’s third husband was Richard Prowse, of Exeter, a prominent draper who was also the city’s bailiff, sheriff, alderman, and mayor, as well as a Member of Parliament. Jamie Quatro, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'draper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, weaver, clothier, from Anglo-French draper, from drap cloth — more at drab

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of draper was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near draper

Cite this Entry

“Draper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draper. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

draper

noun
drap·​er ˈdrā-pər How to pronounce draper (audio)
British
: a dealer in cloth and sometimes also in clothing and dry goods

Geographical Definition

Draper

geographical name

Dra·​per ˈdrā-pər How to pronounce Draper (audio)
city in north central Utah south of Salt Lake City population 42,274

Biographical Definition

Draper

biographical name

Dra·​per ˈdrā-pər How to pronounce Draper (audio)
Henry 1837–1882 American astronomer
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