draught

9 synonyms for draught, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A current of cool air moving through a room, usually coming in through a gap around a door, window or chimney.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

drawing draft

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

breeze swallow

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

current of air tipple gulp potation swig

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A current of cool air moving through a room, usually coming in through a gap around a door, window or chimney.

“There is a terrible draught coming under the front door.”

breeze current of air tipple gulp drawing potation draft swig

2. noun literary

An amount of liquid swallowed in one go; a long drink.

“He emptied the tankard in a single draught.”

gulp swig swallow

How to use draught

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

draught excluder in a draught draught beer on draught

Draught is the British spelling. American English writes draft for all these senses, and also uses draft for conscription and for a first version of a document, which British English spells draft too.

Etymology

From Old English dragan, to draw or pull, so literally a drawing or pulling; the same word as American draft.

Full origin of draught →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between draught and draft?

They are the same word with two spellings. British English uses draught for a current of air, for beer from a tap and for a ship's depth in water, and reserves draft for a preliminary version or military conscription; American English spells all of them draft.

How do you pronounce draught?

It rhymes with laughed: "drahft" in British English and "draft" in American English. The gh is silent, so it never sounds like drought.

What does draught beer mean?

It is beer served straight from a cask or keg through a tap rather than poured from a bottle or can. It is typically fresher and less carbonated than packaged beer, which is why pubs advertise what they have on draught.

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draft drawing swallow breeze potation tipple swig gulp

Nearby words

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