draw
draw
Draw (verb) means to create a picture using a pencil, pen, or similar tool. Example: “Can you draw a map to show me where the shop is?”
verb
1
To create a picture using a pencil, pen, or similar tool.
"Can you draw a map to show me where the shop is?"
"The children loved to draw pictures of animals."
"She drew a quick sketch of the harbour."
2
To pull something toward oneself or in a particular direction.
"He drew the curtains to block out the sun."
"She drew her chair closer to the fire."
3
To attract attention, interest, or a crowd.
"The new bakery draws a queue of customers every Saturday morning."
"The free concert drew thousands of people."
"The street festival draws visitors from all over the region each summer."
4
To take money out of an account, or to receive a wage or benefit.
"You can draw cash from the machine outside the bank."
"He draws a modest pension each month."
"She went to the bank to draw some money for the holiday."
5
To end a game or contest with neither side winning.
"Neither chess player could break through, so the match was drawn after four hours."
"If the two players draw, they will play another game tomorrow."
"The two teams drew 1-1."
noun
1
A game or contest that ends with no winner; a tie.
"After ninety minutes of hard play, a draw seemed fair to everyone."
"The chess game finished in a draw because neither player could win."
"The match ended in a draw."
2
A random selection, as in a lottery or raffle.
"The draw for the school fair takes place at four o'clock."
"Everyone held their breath as the winning ticket came out in the draw."
"She won a prize in the church raffle draw."
How to use draw
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA very flexible word covering pulling something, sketching a picture, attracting people, and ending a contest evenly.
Common mistake
Past tense is "drew," past participle is "drawn" — not "drawed."
Common pairings
draw a picture
draw attention
draw the curtains
end in a draw
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Word forms
- Plural
- draws
- Third person singular
- draws
- Past tense
- drew, drawn
- Archaic forms
- drawest, drewest, draweth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Can you _____ a map to show me where the shop is?
Etymology
From Old English dragan, "to drag or pull," from a Proto-Germanic root related to Latin trahere ("to pull, drag") — the same root behind "drag" and "draught."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for draw
See all rhymes for draw →Frequently asked questions
What does “draw” mean?
The word “draw” means to create a picture using a pencil, pen, or similar tool. In plain terms, a very flexible word covering pulling something, sketching a picture, attracting people, and ending a contest evenly.
How do you pronounce “draw”?
“Draw” is pronounced draw (/dɹɑ/ in IPA).
How do you use “draw” in a sentence?
Here is “draw” used in a sentence: “The children loved to draw pictures of animals.”
What part of speech is “draw”?
Depending on how it is used, “draw” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “draw” come from?
The word “draw” comes from Latin. From Old English dragan, "to drag or pull," from a Proto-Germanic root related to Latin trahere ("to pull, drag") — the same root behind "drag" and "draught.".
Is “draw” a common word?
“Draw” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “draw” have?
“Draw” has 7 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to create a picture using a pencil, pen, or similar tool.
What is the difference between drawing and painting?
Drawing uses lines and marks made with tools like pencils, pens, or charcoal, focusing on form, outline, and shading. Painting applies color with a brush and pigment, emphasizing color and texture. Drawing is generally about line, while painting is about color, though many finished artworks combine both.
Can drawing be learned?
Yes. Although some people have natural aptitude, drawing is a skill built through practice and careful observation. Learning to see proportion, light, and shape improves anyone's work, and techniques like contour drawing and shading can be taught. For most people, steady practice matters far more than innate talent.
What are the types of drawing?
Common types include sketching, which is quick and loose; technical drawing, which is precise and measured; life drawing, done from a live model; and illustration. The medium matters too, as pencil, ink, charcoal, and pastel each create a different look and suit different styles of work.
What is an example of drawing?
Sketching someone's face with a pencil, outlining a cartoon character in ink, or making a quick study of a landscape are all examples of drawing. Any picture created mainly with lines and marks, rather than with painted areas of color, counts as a drawing.
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