blackout
BLAK-owt
/ˈblækaʊt/
Fabric or curtains designed to completely block out external light.
Usually refers to heavy, tightly woven fabrics or curtains lined with a special light-blocking backing.
The story behind the word. The term 'blackout' originated during the early 20th century. It became globally prominent during World War II, when cities were forced to hang heavy, dark curtains over their windows to prevent enemy bomber planes from spotting city lights at night.
Word relationships
- lightproof: Lightproof is a technical term often used in photography darkrooms, while blackout is the standard consumer term for home decor.
- sheer: Sheer fabrics maximize light transmission, whereas blackout fabrics eliminate it.
Commonly confused with
- room-darkening: Room-darkening curtains reduce light significantly but do not eliminate it entirely like true blackout curtains do.
Word family
- black out (verb): To extinguish all lights or lose consciousness.
Collocations
- blackout curtains
- blackout shades
- blackout lining
Example sentences
- "Thanks to the high-quality blackout blinds, I was able to sleep soundly despite the bright neon signs outside my window." A review of a hotel room.
Memory hook
Blackout curtains turn the room completely black, shutting out the sun. Complete darkness with a single pull.
When not to use
Do not use for standard curtains that merely dim the room; blackout implies near-total darkness.
Fun facts
- Wartime blackout curtains were so strictly enforced in Britain that citizens could be fined by 'blackout wardens' if even a sliver of light escaped their windows.
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