adj
Common
drawn
drawn
Drawn (adj) means looking tired, strained, or unwell, especially in the face. Example: “After weeks of overwork, his face looked pale and drawn.”
adj
1
Looking tired, strained, or unwell, especially in the face.
"After weeks of overwork, his face looked pale and drawn."
"She looked drawn and exhausted after sitting up with the baby all night."
"The doctor noticed his drawn features and advised him to rest."
2
Ending with no winner; tied.
"The match was drawn after extra time."
"The chess game was drawn after both players ran out of ideas."
"Neither side could score, and the derby ended in a drawn game."
How to use drawn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes either an exhausted, strained look, or a game/contest that ended in a tie.
Common pairings
drawn and pale
a drawn match
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more drawn
- Superlative
- most drawn
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After weeks of overwork, his face looked pale and _____.
Etymology
The past participle of draw.
Related words
Rhymes for drawn
See all rhymes for drawn →Frequently asked questions
What does “drawn” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “drawn”?
“Drawn” is pronounced drawn (/dɹɔn/ in IPA).
How do you use “drawn” in a sentence?
Here is “drawn” used in a sentence: “After weeks of overwork, his face looked pale and drawn.”
What part of speech is “drawn”?
“Drawn” is an adjective.
Is “drawn” a common word?
“Drawn” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “drawn” have?
“Drawn” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: looking tired, strained, or unwell, especially in the face.
What does it mean to look drawn?
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.
What is the difference between drawn and gaunt?
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.
Is 'drawn' a negative word?
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.
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