noun
Common
pulling
PUU-lihng
Pulling (noun) means the act of applying force to draw something toward oneself. Example: “The pulling of the heavy door left her shoulders aching.”
noun
1
The act of applying force to draw something toward oneself.
"The pulling of the heavy door left her shoulders aching."
"Constant pulling on the lead made the dog's neck sore."
"The pulling of the rope took all three of them working together."
How to use pulling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe action of pulling something, or the noun form of the verb "pull."
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like pulling.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- pullings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the heavy door left her shoulders aching.
Etymology
Developed from Middle English *pullynge, equivalent to pull plus -ing.
Related words
Rhymes for pulling
See all rhymes for pulling →Frequently asked questions
What does “pulling” mean?
The word “pulling” means the act of applying force to draw something toward oneself. In plain terms, the action of pulling something, or the noun form of the verb "pull.".
How do you pronounce “pulling”?
“Pulling” is pronounced PUU-lihng (/ˈpʊlɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “pulling” in a sentence?
Here is “pulling” used in a sentence: “The pulling of the rope took all three of them working together.”
What part of speech is “pulling”?
“Pulling” is a noun.
Is “pulling” a common word?
“Pulling” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "pulling" and "pushing"?
"Pulling" is the act of applying force to draw something toward oneself, while "pushing" applies force to move something away. They are opposite directions of the same effort. You pull a door toward you and push it away from you.
What is the difference between "pulling" and "dragging"?
"Pulling" means drawing something toward yourself with force and does not specify how the object moves. "Dragging" means pulling something heavy along a surface, often with effort and friction, as in dragging a sack across the floor. Dragging is a slower, more laborious kind of pulling.
What is the difference between "pulling" and "towing"?
"Pulling" is the general act of drawing something toward oneself by force. "Towing" specifically means pulling a vehicle or load behind another using a rope, chain, or bar, as when a truck tows a trailer. Towing is a specialized form of pulling used for vehicles and heavy loads.
Which prepositions are used after "pulling"?
"Pulling" is commonly followed by "on," "at," or "toward," as in "pulling on the rope," "pulling at a thread," or "pulling the cart toward the barn." "Pulling out" and "pulling up" are also frequent phrasal uses meaning to withdraw or to stop. The preposition shifts the precise sense of the drawing action.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include pulling:
