pull
puul
Pull (verb) means to apply force to something so it moves toward you. Example: “Pull the cord firmly and the lamp will switch on.”
verb
1
To apply force to something so it moves toward you.
"Pull the cord firmly and the lamp will switch on."
"She pulled the door open and stepped inside."
"He pulled the rope until the boat came alongside the dock."
2
To remove or withdraw something, especially from sale, publication, or use.
"The shop pulled the faulty toys from its shelves immediately."
"The newspaper decided to pull the article after readers pointed out errors."
"The company pulled the ad after complaints."
3
To strain or injure a muscle or ligament.
"I pulled a muscle in my back while lifting the box."
"Be careful stretching, or you might pull a calf muscle."
"He pulled a hamstring in the second half of the match."
noun
1
The act of pulling, or the force that draws something toward a source.
"The moon's pull on the sea causes the tides."
"Give the handle a firm pull to open it."
"There's a strong emotional pull to the story."
2
Influence or the ability to get favorable treatment.
"Her family has real pull in the town, so she got a table."
"You need some pull to get tickets to that show this late."
"He has a lot of pull with the city council."
How to use pull
Learner’s notes
Common mistake
"Pull" (toward you) and "push" (away from you) are opposites — a common mix-up for learners, especially on signs.
Common pairings
pull a muscle
pull strings
pull out
pull something off
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Word forms
- Plural
- pulls
- Third person singular
- pulls
- Past tense
- pulled
- Archaic forms
- pullest, pulleth, pulledst
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ the cord firmly and the lamp will switch on.
Etymology
From Old English pullian, "to pull, draw, tug," of uncertain deeper origin.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for pull
See all rhymes for pull →Frequently asked questions
What does “pull” mean?
The word “pull” means to apply force to something so it moves toward you.
How do you pronounce “pull”?
“Pull” is pronounced puul (/pʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “pull” in a sentence?
Here is “pull” used in a sentence: “She pulled the door open and stepped inside.”
What is another word for “pull”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pull” include attract, draw, hale, heave, lug and schlep.
What is the opposite of “pull”?
The opposite of “pull” — its antonyms — are push, repel, shove, eject and leave.
What part of speech is “pull”?
Depending on how it is used, “pull” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “pull” come from?
The word “pull” comes from Old English. From Old English pullian, "to pull, draw, tug," of uncertain deeper origin.
Is “pull” a common word?
“Pull” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between pull and push?
Pull and push are opposites. To pull is to apply force so something moves toward you; to push is to apply force so it moves away. Opening a drawer is a pull, closing it is a push. Both involve force in a straight line, but they act in opposite directions relative to you.
What is the opposite of pull?
The direct opposite of pull is push — moving something away from you rather than toward you. Depending on context, other opposites include release, let go, or drop, when pull means to draw or grip something. But in everyday use, push is the natural antonym of pull.
What is an example of pull used in a sentence?
You might say 'pull the door open,' 'she pulled the rope toward her,' or 'the tractor pulled the trailer.' In each case something has force applied so it moves closer or follows along. Pull can also be figurative, as in 'pull a few strings' or 'feel a pull toward home.'
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