drawn

The word “drawn” means looking tired, strained, or unwell, especially in the face. In plain terms, describes either an exhausted, strained look, or a game/contest that ended in a tie.

“Drawn” is pronounced drawn (/dɹɔn/ in IPA).

Here is “drawn” used in a sentence: “After weeks of overwork, his face looked pale and drawn.”

“Drawn” is an adjective.

“Drawn” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Drawn” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: looking tired, strained, or unwell, especially in the face.

To look drawn is to appear tired, tense, or unwell, with the strain showing clearly in the face. A drawn face often looks pale, thin, and tight, as though worry, illness, exhaustion, or pain has taken its toll. It is usually a temporary look, brought on by stress or a lack of rest.

Both describe a strained, unhealthy look, but they differ in cause and permanence. Drawn suggests a temporary tiredness or tension showing in the face, often from stress, worry, or a bad night. Gaunt describes a more lasting thinness, with hollow cheeks and visible bone, usually caused by illness, ageing, or prolonged hardship.

In this sense, yes, it is mildly negative, because it points to tiredness, strain, or ill health rather than a rested, healthy appearance. It is not insulting, though; it is often used with sympathy or concern, as in noting that someone looked drawn after a long illness or a particularly difficult week.