# draw

Pronunciation: say "DRAW" US /dɹɔ/, UK /dɹɔː/

## Verb

1. To produce a figure, line, picture, or other representation using a pencil, pen, crayon, chalk, or similar instrument.
   - Simple: To make a picture or lines on paper using a pencil, pen, crayon, or chalk.
   - _The architect will draw a rough floor plan before starting the formal blueprints._
   - _He drew a detailed portrait of his grandmother from an old photograph._
2. To attract someone to a particular place or course of action, or to lead someone away from a particular condition or course of action.
   - Simple: To make people want to come to a place or do something.
   - _Low housing costs continue to draw young families to the region._
   - _A timely scholarship drew him away from a string of dead-end jobs._
3. To take something, especially information or ideas, from a particular source; to derive.
   - Simple: To get ideas or information from a particular place, book, or person.
   - _Historians draw much of their evidence from letters and diaries._
   - _The documentary draws heavily on interviews with former factory workers._
4. To cause attention, the eyes, or the mind to focus on something.
   - Simple: To make someone's eyes, attention, or thoughts go to something.
   - _The museum uses dramatic lighting to draw visitors' attention to its centerpiece._
   - _Her unusual accent drew curious glances from the other passengers._
6. To call forth a response, emotion, or other reaction from a person; to elicit.
   - Simple: To make someone show or give a feeling, answer, or reaction.
   - _Skilled interviewers draw candid admissions from even the most guarded subjects._
   - _The senator's remarks drew gasps from the gallery._
7. To pull or haul someone or something, or a part of the body, in a particular direction.
   - Simple: To pull someone or something, or a part of your body, in some direction.
   - _Slowly draw your knees up toward your chest, hold the stretch for thirty seconds, then lower your legs._
   - _She took his hand and drew him gently toward the door, away from the noise of the crowd._
8. To deduce or infer a conclusion; to arrive at a judgment by reasoning from evidence.
   - Simple: To decide something is true after thinking about the facts you have.
   - _Historians draw conclusions from fragmentary records, always allowing for uncertainty._
   - _The jury drew a damning inference from his refusal to testify._
9. To make a comparison or contrast between two or more things; to distinguish one from another.
   - Simple: To point out how two or more things are alike or different.
   - _Critics draw parallels between the novel and the author's own childhood._
   - _The report draws a sharp distinction between legal and illegal lobbying._
10. To compose or write a piece of text, especially a formal document; now chiefly used in the form draw up.
   - Simple: To write out a formal piece of text, like a contract or a plan.
   - _Committee members will draw up a formal proposal before the next meeting._
   - _Her attorney drew up a new will shortly after the move._
11. To take liquid out of something, such as blood with a needle or water from a well.
   - Simple: To take liquid out of something, like blood from a person or water from a well.
   - _Lab assistants draw samples from each tank every morning._
   - _A technician drew two vials of blood during the appointment._
12. To select one or more things at random from a collection to decide who receives a prize or assignment, or to win a prize in a lottery.
   - Simple: To pick something by chance from a group to decide who wins a prize or gets a task.
   - _Officials will draw six numbers at random during tonight's televised lottery._
   - _He drew the winning ticket at the county fair raffle._
14. To end a game or match with neither side winning; to tie.
   - Simple: To finish a game or match with no winner.
   - _United and City drew for the third time this season._
   - _Strong defensive sides often draw when they meet each other._
20. To take or be dealt a playing card from the deck; also, to receive a particular hand this way.
   - Simple: To take or be given a card from the deck, or to get a certain hand this way.
   - _Players draw a card at the start of each turn._
   - _He drew a pair of kings on the opening deal._
15. To move steadily toward a place or position, or to come gradually closer to a point in time.
   - Simple: To move steadily toward a place or position, or to come closer to a time, like the end.
   - _Two riders draw alongside the leader as the race enters its final lap._
   - _The motorcade drew slowly past the cheering crowds._
17. To pull a firearm, sword, or other weapon out of its holster or sheath.
   - Simple: To pull a gun, sword, or other weapon out, ready to use it.
   - _Guards are trained never to draw a firearm unless lives are at risk._
   - _He drew a knife from his boot before anyone could react._
21. To pull blinds, curtains, or similar coverings open or closed.
   - Simple: To pull curtains or blinds open or closed.
   - _Hotel staff draw the curtains during turndown service each evening._
   - _She drew the blinds open to let in the morning light._
22. To take air, smoke, or the like into the lungs; to inhale.
   - Simple: To take air or smoke into your lungs when you breathe in.
   - _Divers learn to draw slow, even breaths to conserve their air supply._
   - _He drew the cigar smoke deep into his lungs before answering._
19. To receive money such as a salary, or to withdraw money from a bank or other account.
   - Simple: To get money, like pay from a job, or to take money out of a bank.
   - _Board members draw an annual stipend for their service._
   - _She drew two hundred dollars from her savings account for the trip._
24. To fill a bathtub with water in preparation for a bath; to run a bath.
   - Simple: To fill a bathtub with water for a bath.
   - _The nurse offered to draw a bath for the patient each evening._
   - _He drew a hot bath and soaked until the water cooled._
25. To write out a check, bill or draft authorizing a payment, often followed by on and the person or bank that will pay.
   - Simple: To write a check or similar paper that tells a bank or person to pay money.
   - _To settle the claim, the insurance company drew a check on its bank in Chicago._
   - _Exporters often draw bills on their foreign buyers, who pay when the goods arrive._
26. To consume power, as an electrical device or circuit does.
   - Simple: To use electric power.
   - _The space heater draws about 1,500 watts on its high setting._
   - _Older refrigerators draw far more power than new ones._
27. To pull back an arrow or a bowstring in preparation for shooting; also, to bend a bow by pulling back its string.
   - Simple: To pull back the string of a bow, or an arrow, before shooting.
   - _Competitors must draw their bows smoothly to keep the sight steady._
   - _The archer drew the bowstring to her cheek and held her breath._
28. To exert a physical force, especially gravitational or magnetic, that pulls something closer.
   - Simple: To pull something toward itself with a natural force, like a magnet does.
   - _A strong electromagnet can draw scrap iron from several feet away._
   - _The moon's gravity draws the ocean's water, creating the tides._
29. To pull deeply on a cigarette, pipe or other smoking implement, used with at or on.
   - Simple: To pull hard on a cigarette or pipe, taking smoke into your mouth.
   - _Between sentences, he would stop to draw on his cigarette until the tip glowed red._
   - _Leaning against the wall, the old sailor drew slowly on his pipe and said nothing._
30. To get someone to give information or speak on a subject, now often in the passive.
   - Simple: To get someone to talk about a subject or tell what they know.
   - _The coach would not be drawn on whether he plans to retire._
   - _Reporters tried to draw the senator on the rumors, but she only smiled._
32. Of a ship or boat, to need a certain depth of water in order to float.
   - Simple: Of a boat or ship, to need water at least a certain depth to float.
   - _The new freighters draw too much water to enter the old harbor._
   - _Our sailboat draws only four feet, so we can anchor close to the beach._
34. To move someone away from a group in order to speak with them privately; chiefly used with aside or to one side.
   - Simple: To take a person away from a group to talk to them in private.
   - _Doctors sometimes draw family members aside to deliver difficult news._
   - _The manager drew her aside after the meeting to discuss the promotion._
38. Of a flue, a pipe for smoking, or a similar passage: to let air move through it so that burning can go on.
   - Simple: For a chimney, pipe, or similar thing: to let air flow through it so a fire can burn.
   - _Open the damper and let the stove draw for a minute before you add more logs._
   - _The old briar pipe draws smoothly now that he has cleaned out the stem._
39. Of tea, to stand in hot water until its flavor grows stronger; also, to steep tea in this way.
   - Simple: Of tea, to sit in hot water until it gets strong, or to make tea do this.
   - _He likes his tea strong, so he leaves the bag in to draw until it turns the color of brick._
   - _Grandma set the old brown pot on the table to draw while she sliced the bread._
40. To pull a metal rod through one or more holes to make wire; also, to stretch a piece of metal out into wire.
   - Simple: To pull metal through small holes to make it into thin wire.
   - _Some jewelers draw their own silver wire through a steel plate pierced with holes._
   - _The aluminum rods are drawn down to a fine gauge before being wound onto spools._

## Noun

5. An outcome of a game or contest in which neither side has won.
   - Simple: The result of a game or contest that no one wins.
   - _The championship match ended in a draw, forcing a rematch the following week._
   - _Three of their last five games were draws._
13. The procedure by which the winning numbers or entries of a lottery are determined.
   - Simple: The way a lottery picks its winning numbers or names.
   - _Tonight's draw will decide who takes home the ten-million-dollar jackpot._
   - _The lottery commission delayed the draw after a technical problem with the machine._
16. A person, thing, or event that attracts people, such as a crowd or an audience.
   - Simple: Someone or something that makes people come or pay attention.
   - _The headline act remains the festival's main draw year after year._
   - _Cheap rent was the neighborhood's biggest draw for young artists._
18. The pairing of competitors or teams in a tournament, usually decided by lot, or the list of entrants that results from it.
   - Simple: The plan, often picked by chance, that shows which players or teams will play each other in a contest.
   - _The defending champion landed in the tougher half of the draw at this year's open._
   - _Fans crowded around their phones as the World Cup draw was broadcast live._
23. The amount of electric current or power a device consumes while it is operating.
   - Simple: How much electricity a machine or device uses while it is running.
   - _The new graphics card has a power draw of over 300 watts under full load._
   - _Electricians check the draw of each appliance before adding another circuit._
33. In golf, a shot that is made to curve to the left, for a right-handed player.
   - Simple: In golf, a shot that a right-handed player makes curve to the left on purpose.
   - _She shaped a gentle draw around the oak and stopped it ten feet from the pin._
   - _His natural shot is a draw, so he aims down the right side of the fairway._
35. The act of pulling a gun or other weapon from its holster or sheath.
   - Simple: The act of pulling a gun out of its holster.
   - _The sheriff beat the outlaw on the draw by half a second._
   - _She practices her draw every morning at the range._
36. In a job paid by commission, an advance on future commissions that an employer gives an employee.
   - Simple: Money a salesperson gets ahead of time, to be taken from the commissions they earn later.
   - _New sales reps get a draw of $2,000 a month for their first six months._
   - _If his commissions don't cover the draw, the shortfall carries over to next month._
37. A small, shallow valley between ridges or spurs, usually dry but carrying runoff after heavy rain.
   - Simple: A small, shallow valley between hills that is usually dry but carries water after heavy rain.
   - _The cattle had drifted down into the draw to get out of the wind._
   - _After the cloudburst, the draw behind the barn ran with muddy water._

## Verb

31. To lengthen something in time, making it last longer. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To make something last longer.

## Other meanings

- (verb) To pull a cord, strap or similar thing so that it fits more snugly around something, often with tight.
- (verb) To slide a bolt or latch back to open a door or gate, or forward to fasten it.
- (verb) To put oneself into a particular stance by pulling the limbs in or stretching them out, as in drawing oneself up.
- (verb) To make a body part tighten or shrink, or to twist the face out of its usual shape through strong feeling.
- (verb) To move a person or thing elsewhere, or bring them into a different state.
- (verb) To build something long, such as a wall or canal, so that it runs between two places.
- (verb) To put backspin on the cue ball by hitting it low, so that it recoils after striking another ball.
- (verb) To roll a bowl so that it curves in toward a chosen spot.
- (verb) In early cricket, to angle the bat and play the ball from the off side round to the leg side, or let it glance off the bat between the batter's legs and the wicket.
- (verb) To deliver a stone so that it comes to rest inside the house, the ringed target on the ice.
- (verb) In golf, to hit the ball so it curves left for a right-hander, or right for a left-hander, once by accident off the club's toe, now usually on purpose.
- (verb) To pull a condemned prisoner over the ground, tied to a horse or laid on a sled, as punishment or on the way to be executed.
- (verb) To execute someone by binding their arms and legs to horses driven off in opposite directions so the body is ripped apart.
- (verb) To perform a mathematical operation on a number.
- (verb) To bring a cast fishing net back in, or to tow one beside a boat.
- (verb) To haul a ship's sail up the mast.
- (verb) To transport goods in a cart or wagon.
- (verb) To stitch the edges of a rip together, or to repair a hole in cloth.
- (verb) To harness a work animal such as an ox or horse to pull a plow or cart.
- (verb) To name someone or something as the origin or cause of a thing.
- (verb) To turn one thing into something different.
- (verb) To rework a piece of writing into another form, such as prose into verse, or to render a text in another language.
- (verb) To turn one's thoughts or affections toward a particular person or thing.
- (verb) To call up a quality such as courage or strength within oneself, or to bring out wickedness in oneself.
- (verb) To read or present words as having a particular sense, especially a twisted or misleading one.
- (verb) To press food through a sieve, used with through.
- (verb) To combine one ingredient with others, stirring until the whole becomes smooth and runny or pasty.
- (verb) To move in a certain way when pulled.
- (verb) Of a work animal, to pull a load such as a plow or cart, or to have the strength to do so.
- (verb) Of a plow or vehicle, to move in a particular way when pulled.
- (verb) To tighten up and become smaller.
- (verb) To cooperate toward a shared goal, or to get along well with someone.
- (verb) To trail along behind, being pulled.
- (verb) To produce something as a result or lead to it happening.
- (verb) To bring trouble or harm upon oneself, used with on or upon.
- (verb) To be handed a stated term in jail or prison by a court, as in 'he drew five years.'
- (verb) To pull air into a room, duct or passage by suction.
- (verb) To attract enemy shooting, whether on purpose or by accident.
- (verb) To pull in a person or a crowd by being appealing, or to act as a lure.
- (verb) To gulp down a drink, especially liquor.
- (verb) Of people, to gather or crowd together in one place, usually used with about or around.
- (verb) To lengthen or stretch something out.
- (verb) To beat a piece of metal flat and thin, used with out.
- (verb) To come to a given total or quantity.
- (verb) To torture or punish someone by stretching their body on a rack.
- (verb) To become longer or more stretched out.
- (verb) In thatching, to pull handfuls of straw between the fingers until the stems lie straight and even.
- (verb) Of a sail, to swell out and pull firmly as the breeze fills it.
- (verb) To spread out or reach across an area.
- (verb) To pull out a tooth.
- (verb) To get juice, oil or another liquid out of something, for example by pressing it.
- (verb) To pour beer or another drink from a barrel by a tap or pump.
- (verb) To absorb liquid or other matter, especially of a plant or other living thing taking in water and nutrients.
- (verb) Of a ditch or drain, to channel water away.
- (verb) To cut out a condemned person's bowels as part of an execution, typically after hanging, as the old penalty for treason.
- (verb) To take out the guts of a bird or other animal so it can be cooked.
- (verb) To haul coal or ore up from a mine.
- (verb) To run a lottery or pick its winning numbers or tickets.
- (verb) To take out everything inside something, chiefly an oven or kiln.
- (verb) To take something back, such as a bet in gambling or a horse entered in a race.
- (verb) Of a crop or plant, to exhaust land or soil by taking up its nourishment.
- (verb) To pick out certain sheep from a flock, as for breeding or sale.
- (verb) To catch fish by pulling a net through water or along a shore.
- (verb) To go through a wood or thicket looking for a fox or other quarry during a hunt.
- (verb) To finish a game or match without a winner.
- (verb) In cricket, to finish a match without a winner because time runs out before the side batting last completes its innings.
- (verb) To divide machine-made lace into pieces by pulling out the threads that join them.
- (verb) To milk a cow.
- (verb) To get seeds out of clover or trefoil husks, or to strip these plants of their seed.
- (verb) In cricket, to get a batsman out and so claim a wicket.
- (verb) In falconry, to bring a hawk out of its mews once it has finished molting.
- (verb) To pick someone's pocket or steal from a person or place.
- (verb) Of a ditch or culvert, to lead off surplus water so the ground stays dry.
- (verb) Of water or another fluid, to soak slowly through soil or a filter and pass off.
- (verb) To pull pus or other matter out of a wound toward the skin's surface, for example with a poultice, so it can be cleared.
- (verb) In dominoes, to pick up a tile from the unused pile.
- (verb) To pour beer or other drink from casks in an inn, or to work serving drinks there.
- (verb) Of hunters or hounds, to go through cover looking for game or following a quarry's trail.
- (verb) To shape wood or another material by shaving off thin strips.
- (verb) To put a picture of someone or something into spoken or written words.
- (verb) To open up a long groove in a field with a plow.
- (verb) To work out or put together a plan or arrangement.
- (verb) To make a statue or other solid likeness of something, as by modeling or carving.
- (interjection) An instruction for archers to haul their bowstrings back and prepare to shoot.
- (noun) In archery, the pulling back of the bowstring before a shot, or how far it is pulled back.
- (noun) In cricket, the outcome when a match of two innings a side ends undecided because time ran out before a side finished batting, unlike a tie.
- (noun) Something drawn out, such as money taken from an account.
- (noun) The upward movement of smoke and gases through a chimney or flue, often controlled by a damper.
- (noun) Backspin or a twist put on a ball, as in billiards, by a stroke struck below its center.
- (noun) In curling, a gentle throw aimed to stop within the rings at the far end rather than to knock other stones away.
- (noun) A bag or packet containing marijuana.
- (noun) Marijuana, a drug made from the cannabis plant.
- (noun) In poker, a hand that is one card short of a flush or a straight and needs another card to complete it.
- (noun) In horse racing, the numbered starting stall a horse is given at the beginning of a race.

## Origin

The verb descends from Middle English drauen (to drag, pull, attract, or make a drawing), from Old English dragan (to drag, draw), and further back through Proto-West Germanic and Proto-Germanic roots meaning "to carry" or "to pull." The deeper origin is uncertain, though it is often traced to Proto-Indo-European *dʰregʰ- (to pull), and possibly to a non-Indo-European source also behind Latin trahō. It is a doublet of drag and draught. The noun derives from Middle English drau (the action of shooting with a bow), from the verb.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/draw (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).