draw

SayDRAW/dɹɔ//dɹɔː/

Verbdraws, drawing, drew, drawn

Noun pluraldraws

134 meanings of draw

Practice

1
sketchverbtransitive
To make a picture or lines on paper using a pencil, pen, crayon, or chalk.
Can you draw a map to your house for me?
She drew a cat on the back of her notebook.
Similarsketch, outline, depict, draft, portray
Oppositeerase
Note
2
enticeverbtransitive
To make people want to come to a place or do something.
Like a magnet pulling small pieces of metal toward it.
Free food will draw a big crowd to the event.
The warm weather drew thousands of people to the beach.
UsageOften draw people to a place.
Similarattract, lure, entice, pull, bring
Oppositerepel, deter
3
get ideas fromverbtransitive or intransitive
To get ideas or information from a particular place, book, or person.
Writers often draw ideas from their own lives.
She drew most of her facts from old newspapers.
UsageSay draw from or draw on: she draws on her life.
Similarderive, take, obtain, get, extract
Note
4
attentionverbtransitive
To make someone's eyes, attention, or thoughts go to something.
Bright colors draw the eye to the sale signs.
The loud crash drew everyone's attention to the kitchen.
UsageSay draw attention to something.
Similarattract, catch, direct, invite
Oppositedivert, deflect
Note
5
tied resultnouncountable or uncountable
The result of a game or contest that no one wins.
Like a race where two runners cross the finish line at exactly the same time.
The soccer game ended in a draw, two goals each.
The chess match finished in a draw after forty moves.
UsageWe say the game ended in a draw.
Similartie
Oppositewin, loss
Note
6
verbtransitive
To make someone show or give a feeling, answer, or reaction.
Funny videos always draw a laugh from my dad.
The teacher's question drew no answer from the class.
UsageSay draw a reaction from people.
Similarelicit, evoke, provoke, prompt, extract
7
verbformaltransitive
To pull someone or something, or a part of your body, in some direction.
The horses draw the heavy cart up the hill.
She drew the child close to keep him warm.
Similarpull, drag, haul, tug, tow
Oppositepush
Note
8
inferverbtransitive
To decide something is true after thinking about the facts you have.
From the muddy footprints, you can draw only one conclusion.
The students drew their own conclusions from the experiment's results.
UsageSay draw a conclusion from the facts.
Similarreach, deduce, infer, derive, make
Note
9
compareverbtransitive
To point out how two or more things are alike or different.
The teacher asked us to draw a comparison between the two stories.
He drew a contrast between life in the city and life on a farm.
UsageSay draw a distinction between two things.
Similarmake, note, establish
Note
10
write upverbtransitive
To write out a formal piece of text, like a contract or a plan.
The lawyer will draw up a contract for both sides to sign.
They drew up a simple plan for sharing the housework.
Similarwrite, compose, prepare, draft, formulate
Note
11
suck up liquidverbtransitive
To take liquid out of something, like blood from a person or water from a well.
The nurse will draw some blood from your arm for the test.
He drew a little liquid from the bottle with a dropper.
UsageWe say draw blood.
Similarextract, take, withdraw, remove
Note
12
select by lotverbtransitive
To pick something by chance from a group to decide who wins a prize or gets a task.
Like picking one candy from a bag without looking.
The teacher will draw a name from the hat to choose the winner.
She drew the lucky ticket and won a new bike.
UsageAlso draw lots to choose.
Similarpick, select, choose
Note
13
lottery eventnouncountable or uncountable
The way a lottery picks its winning numbers or names.
The draw happens every Saturday night on TV.
After the draw, the winning numbers were posted at the store.
Note
14
play to a tieverbintransitive
To finish a game or match with no winner.
If both teams draw, each gets one point.
The two players drew after a long, careful game.
UsagePast: drew; after have: drawn (not ~~incorrect: have drew~~).
Similartie
Oppositewin, lose
15
come closerverbintransitive
To move steadily toward a place or position, or to come closer to a time, like the end.
The boats draw closer to the shore as evening falls.
The train drew into the station right on time.
UsageSay draw near or draw alongside.
Similarpull, come, move
Note
16
main attractionnouncountable or uncountable
Someone or something that makes people come or pay attention.
Like a magnet that pulls people toward it.
The free food was the big draw at the school fair.
The new panda is a huge draw for visitors at the zoo.
UsageOften the main draw or a big draw.
Similarattraction, lure, magnet, pull, appeal
Oppositedeterrent
Note
17
weaponverbtransitive
To pull a gun, sword, or other weapon out, ready to use it.
The officer had to draw her weapon during the chase.
The knight drew his sword as the enemy charged.
Similarpull, unsheathe, unholster
Oppositesheathe, holster
Note
18
nouncountable
The plan, often picked by chance, that shows which players or teams will play each other in a contest.
Our team got an easy draw in the first round of the cup.
The tennis draw was posted on the wall, and she found her name near the top.
Similarbracket
19
withdraw moneyverbtransitive
To get money, like pay from a job, or to take money out of a bank.
You can draw cash from the machine outside the bank.
He draws a small pension every month.
UsageSay draw money from the bank.
Similarreceive, earn, collect, withdraw, take
Oppositedeposit

Less common meanings

20
cardverbtransitive
To take or be given a card from the deck, or to get a certain hand this way.
On your turn, draw two cards from the pile.
She drew the ace of spades and smiled.
Similartake, pick, get
Oppositediscard
Note
21
curtainsverbtransitive
To pull curtains or blinds open or closed.
Please draw the curtains because the sun is too bright.
She drew the blinds before turning on the movie.
UsageDraw the curtains can mean open or close. Say which.
Similarpull
Note
22
breathe inverbtransitive
To take air or smoke into your lungs when you breathe in.
She stopped to draw a deep breath before speaking.
He drew the cool mountain air into his lungs.
UsageSay draw a deep breath.
Similarinhale, breathe, take, suck
Oppositeexhale, expel
Note
23
nouncountable or uncountable
How much electricity a machine or device uses while it is running.
This little fan has a low power draw, so it saves money.
Phone chargers have a tiny draw even when nothing is plugged into them.
UsageOften power draw.
Similarconsumption, load
24
bathverbtransitive
To fill a bathtub with water for a bath.
Could you draw a bath for the kids before dinner?
She drew a warm bath after the long hike.
UsageWe say draw a bath or run a bath.
Similarrun, prepare, fill
Oppositedrain
25
verbtransitive
To write a check or similar paper that tells a bank or person to pay money.
You can draw checks on this account at any time.
He drew a check for the rent and left it on the table.
Similarwrite
26
verbtransitive
To use electric power.
Big TVs draw a lot of power.
The old pump drew too much power and tripped the breaker.
Similaruse, consume
Note
27
archeryverbtransitive
To pull back the string of a bow, or an arrow, before shooting.
She learned to draw the bow slowly and aim with care.
She drew the bowstring back to her cheek and let go.
Similarpull, bend
Oppositerelease, loose
Note
28
verbtransitive
To pull something toward itself with a natural force, like a magnet does.
Magnets draw small metal objects toward them.
The Earth draws everything on it toward its center.
Similarattract, pull
Oppositerepel
Note
29
verbintransitive
To pull hard on a cigarette or pipe, taking smoke into your mouth.
She likes to draw slowly on a cigar after dinner.
Grandpa drew on his pipe and smiled.
Similarpull, puff
30
verbtransitive
To get someone to talk about a subject or tell what they know.
No one could draw him on his plans for next year.
She smiled but would not be drawn on why she quit.
UsageOften would not be drawn on a question.
Similarpress
Note
31
verbobsoletetransitive
To make something last longer.
Note
32
verbfigurativelytransitive
Of a boat or ship, to need water at least a certain depth to float.
Big ships draw a lot of water and can't come up the river.
This canoe draws just a few inches of water.
UsageSay a boat draws four feet.
Note
33
nouncountable or uncountable
In golf, a shot that a right-handed player makes curve to the left on purpose.
He hit a nice draw that landed in the middle of the fairway.
Her draw curved around the big tree and onto the green.
Oppositefade
Note
34
take asideverbtransitive
To take a person away from a group to talk to them in private.
The coach will draw him aside to talk about his attitude.
She drew her friend to one side and shared the news quietly.
Similartake, pull, call
35
nouncountable or uncountable
The act of pulling a gun out of its holster.
The cowboy in the movie had a very fast draw.
Both men reached for their guns, but his draw was quicker.
UsageSay quick on the draw.
Note
36
nouncountable or uncountable
Money a salesperson gets ahead of time, to be taken from the commissions they earn later.
Her draw helps her pay the bills while she builds up sales.
The company stopped his draw when his sales stayed low.
Similaradvance
37
nouncountable or uncountable
A small, shallow valley between hills that is usually dry but carries water after heavy rain.
We followed the dry draw down to the road.
In spring the draw fills with rainwater for a few days.
Similargully, gulch, arroyo
Note
38
verbintransitive
For a chimney, pipe, or similar thing: to let air flow through it so a fire can burn.
Clean the chimney so it can draw again before winter.
Our new wood stove draws well, so the fire stays hot.
Note
39
verbtransitive or intransitive
Of tea, to sit in hot water until it gets strong, or to make tea do this.
Leave the tea to draw for a few minutes before you pour it.
Is the tea ready, or is it still drawing?
Similarsteep, brew
Note
40
verbtransitive
To pull metal through small holes to make it into thin wire.
The machines in this factory draw copper into thin wire.
The worker drew the metal rod through smaller and smaller holes until it became wire.
Note
41
verb
To pull a cord or strap so it gets tighter.
42
verb
To move the bolt on a door or gate to lock or unlock it.
43
verb
To move your body into a certain position, such as pulling yourself up straight.
44
verb
To make your face look tight or twisted because of strong feeling.
45
verbarchaic
To move someone or something to a new place or state.
46
verbarchaic
To build a long wall or canal across land.
the huge Offa's dike which he drew from the mouth of Wye to that of Dee
1874, John Richard Green, A Short History of the English People
47
verb
To hit the white ball low so it rolls back after hitting another ball.
48
verb
In bowls, to roll the ball so it curves in to a chosen spot.
49
verbarchaic
In old cricket, to hit a ball from off to leg, or between your legs and the wicket.
50
verb
To slide a stone so it stops inside the target rings.
51
verb
In golf, to make the ball curve left, or right for a left-hander, now usually on purpose.
52
verb
To pull a prisoner behind a horse as punishment or on the way to be killed.
53
verb
To kill someone by tying them to horses that pull their body apart.
54
verb
To do a math calculation with a number.
55
verb
To pull a fishing net back in after throwing it out.
56
verbarchaic
To pull up a sail on a boat.
57
verbdialectalUK
To move goods from place to place in a cart.
58
verbobsolete
To sew up a hole or rip in cloth.
59
verbobsolete
To put an ox or horse to work pulling something.
60
verbobsolete
To say who or what caused something.
61
verbobsolete
To make something become a different thing.
62
verbobsolete
To rewrite a text in a new style or in another language.
63
verbobsolete
To turn your mind or feelings to a person or thing.
64
verbobsolete
To find courage or strength inside yourself.
65
verbobsolete
To make words mean something particular, often something twisted or untrue.
66
verbobsolete
To push food through a kitchen sieve to make it smooth.
67
verbobsolete
To mix things together to make a runny or thick mixture.
68
verb
To move in some way when someone pulls it.
69
verbarchaic
Of a horse or ox, to pull a plow or cart.
70
verbarchaic
Of a cart or plow, to move in a certain way when pulled.
71
verbarchaic
To get smaller and tighter.
72
verbarchaicScotland
To work well with others or get along with someone.
73
verbobsolete
To be pulled along, often over the ground.
74
verb
To make something happen as a result.
75
verb
To cause something bad to happen to yourself.
76
verb
To be given a certain amount of time in prison, such as ten years.
77
verb
To make air flow into a space or pipe.
78
verb
To make someone shoot at you, on purpose or by accident.
79
verb
To attract people or make them want to come.
80
verb
To take a big drink, usually of alcohol.
81
verb
To come together in a group.
82
verb
To pull something so it gets longer.
83
verb
To hammer metal until it is flat.
84
verbobsolete
To make a total of a certain number.
85
verbobsolete
To hurt someone by stretching them on a rack.
86
verb
To get longer by stretching.
87
verb
To pull straw through your hands to make it straight for a roof.
88
verb
To go tight as wind fills it, used of a sail.
89
verbobsolete
To spread or extend over a space.
90
verb
To pull out a tooth.
91
verb
To get liquid out of something by pressing or another method.
92
verb
To get a drink out of a barrel with a tap or pump.
93
verb
To take in liquid, like a plant takes in water.
94
verb
To take water away, as a drain or ditch does.
95
verb
To take out a person's insides as part of an old punishment for treason.
96
verb
To take the insides out of a bird or other animal before cooking it.
97
verb
To bring coal or ore up out of a mine.
98
verb
To run a lottery and choose who wins.
99
verb
To take everything out of something, often an oven or kiln.
100
verbarchaic
To take back a bet or take a horse out of a race.
Go, wash thy face, and draw thy action.
1591, William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt,”
101
verbarchaicUK
Of a crop, to take the goodness out of the land and leave it poorer.
102
verb
To take some sheep out of the flock for a reason.
103
verb
To fish by pulling a net through the water.
104
verb
To look through woods for animals during a hunt.
105
verb
To end a game with no winner.
106
verb
In cricket, to end a game with no winner because time runs out.
107
verb
To split machine-made lace into pieces by pulling out the threads that join them.
108
verbdialectalNorthernScotland
To milk a cow.
109
verbobsolete
To take seeds out of clover husks.
110
verbobsolete
In cricket, to get a batsman out.
111
verbobsolete
To let a hawk out of its shed once it has grown new feathers.
112
verbobsolete
To steal from someone, especially from a pocket.
113
verb
Of a ditch, to let water run off.
114
verb
Of a liquid, to slowly flow away.
115
verbarchaic
To pull pus out of a wound, for example with a hot pad.
116
verb
In dominoes, to take a new tile from the pile.
117
verbobsolete
To pour beer from barrels, or to work in a bar.
118
verbarchaic
To look for animals to hunt, or to follow their trail.
On one of my expeditions, after a stormy night, at the end of March, the hounds drew all day without finding a fox.
1928, Siegfried Sassoon, Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting Man
119
verb
To slice thin strips off wood to give it a shape.
120
verb
To describe something using words.
121
verb
To cut a long groove in a field with a plow.
122
verbobsolete
To plan or arrange something.
123
verbobsolete
To make a solid model of something, such as a statue.
124
interjection
An order telling archers to pull back their bowstrings and get ready to shoot.
125
noun
Pulling back a bowstring, or how far it goes back.
126
noun
In cricket with two innings per side, a result with no winner because time runs out first.
127
noun
Something taken out, like money from an account.
128
noun
The flow of air and smoke up a chimney.
129
noun
Spin put on a ball by hitting it low.
130
noun
In curling, a soft throw that stops in the target.
131
nounslang
A bag or packet that holds marijuana.
132
nounslang
Marijuana.
133
noun
In poker, a hand needing one more card to make a flush or a straight.
134
noun
The gate position a horse starts in.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of draw apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

The verb comes from Old English dragan, meaning "to drag or pull." Its deeper origin is uncertain. The noun comes from a Middle English word for shooting with a bow.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

The verb descends from Old English dragan, meaning to drag or pull. en.wiktionary.org
The deeper origin is uncertain. en.wiktionary.org
The noun descends from a Middle English word denoting shooting with a bow. en.wiktionary.org