draw
draw
Pronunciation
draw /drɔː/
dra /drɔː/ - This word is a single syllable.
/d/: Voiced alveolar plosive
/r/: Voiced alveolar approximant
/ɔː/: Open-mid back rounded vowel
Word Form Variations
Verb:
Base form: draw
Third-person singular present: draws
Present participle: drawing
Past tense: drew
Past participle: drawn
Noun:
Singular: draw
Plural: draws
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To create a picture or diagram with lines and marks, typically with a pencil, pen, or crayon.
Synonyms: sketch, illustrate, depict, render
Antonyms: erase, obliterate
To pull or drag something in a particular direction.
Synonyms: pull, drag, haul, tow
Antonyms: push, repel, release
To attract or entice someone or something to a place or a particular condition.
Synonyms: attract, entice, allure, captivate, beckon
Antonyms: repel, deter, discourage
To take out or extract something from a source.
Synonyms: extract, pull out, withdraw, remove
Antonyms: insert, deposit, replace
To come to a conclusion or inference from evidence or reasoning.
Synonyms: deduce, infer, conclude, derive
Antonyms: ignore, overlook, disregard
To move slowly and steadily in a particular direction.
Synonyms: approach, move, advance (often used with "near" or "close")
Antonyms: retreat, recede, withdraw
To empty a container of liquid, especially by siphoning or pumping.
Synonyms: drain, siphon, pump out, empty
Antonyms: fill, replenish, pour in
Noun
An act of drawing something, especially a lottery or raffle.
Synonyms: lottery, raffle, sweepstake, chance
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific sense)
A tie or an even score in a game or contest.
Synonyms: tie, stalemate, deadlock, standoff
Antonyms: win, loss, victory, defeat
Something or someone that attracts attention or a crowd.
Synonyms: attraction, lure, magnet, appeal, enticement
Antonyms: deterrent, repulsion, turn-off
Examples of Use
Books:
"Atticus said, 'You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you draw into his skin and walk around in it.'" (Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird) - Here, "draw" implies entering or understanding deeply.
"He had a gift for observation, able to draw out the smallest details from a bustling scene." (From a hypothetical contemporary novel focusing on an artist or detective) - "Draw out" means to elicit or extract.
Newspapers:
"The recent surge in tourist numbers continues to draw criticism from local residents concerned about overcrowding." (The Guardian, headline, July 1, 2025) - "Draw" signifies attracting or eliciting.
"Analysts will closely examine the economic data released today to draw conclusions about the direction of inflation." (The Wall Street Journal, financial report, June 30, 2025) - "Draw conclusions" means to deduce or infer.
Online Publications:
"Our new article explores how to draw inspiration from everyday life to fuel your creative projects." (Blogger, Creative Minds Blog, June 25, 2025) - "Draw inspiration" means to derive or gain.
"In a surprising move, the city council decided to draw a line under the contentious debate, postponing a decision until next year." (Local News Online, political report, June 28, 2025) - "Draw a line under" means to end or conclude something.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film (Dialogue): "We need to draw him out, make him show his hand." (From a hypothetical spy thriller, where "draw out" means to entice or provoke someone into revealing themselves).
Television Series (Character Description): "Her quiet demeanor and mysterious past only served to draw viewers further into her complex character arc." (Review of a popular drama series on a TV critique website, June 29, 2025) - "Draw" means to attract or captivate.
Video Game (Tutorial Prompt): "Use the right joystick to draw your bowstring back for a more powerful shot." (On-screen instruction in a fantasy adventure game, encountered during gameplay) - "Draw" here refers to pulling.
Music (Song Lyrics): "With every sunset, I draw closer to a new dawn." (From a hypothetical folk song, suggesting a gradual approach or movement).
General Public Discourse:
"Let's draw straws to see who has to do the dishes tonight." (Common saying among friends or family members) - "Draw straws" is an idiom for making a random selection.
"That new restaurant really knows how to draw a crowd; it's always packed." (Conversation between two people discussing local establishments) - "Draw a crowd" means to attract many people.
"You can draw on my experience if you need any advice for your project." (Someone offering help or support to another person) - "Draw on" means to make use of or rely upon.
"We need to draw up a plan before we start construction." (Colleagues discussing a new project) - "Draw up" means to prepare or draft.
10 Famous Quotes Using Draw
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you draw into his skin and walk around in it." (Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird)
"The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. You'll never draw a blank if you fill your mind with knowledge so vast." (Dr. Seuss, attributed)
"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." (Henry Ward Beecher - metaphorical use of 'paints' which is closely related to 'draw')
"I always try to look at the big picture, but sometimes you have to draw a line in the sand." (Unknown, common idiom)
"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." (Thomas Merton - metaphorical, as 'find ourselves' can involve the process of introspection often facilitated by creative acts like drawing)
"When you are asked to draw a line, you do not use a ruler. You use your heart." (Unknown, inspirational quote)
"Life is like a game of poker: you have to play the hand you're dealt, but you can always draw new cards." (Unknown, common analogy)
"It is not enough for a man to be a great artist; he must also be a great human being." (Auguste Rodin - While not using "draw," this quote touches upon the essence of creation and the artist, often associated with drawing.)
"The ability to draw conclusions from incomplete information is the hallmark of a good detective." (Sherlock Holmes, from Arthur Conan Doyle's stories - paraphrased common understanding of his deductive skill)
"The creative adult is the child who survived." (Ursula K. Le Guin - metaphorical, as children often draw spontaneously, and creativity is the preservation of that spirit.)
Etymology
The word "draw" has a long and interesting history, going all the way back to Old English and even further to ancient Germanic roots!
In its earliest known use, dating back before the year 1150 (the Old English period), the word "draw" (then spelled "dragan") fundamentally meant "to drag" or "to pull." Imagine someone physically pulling something heavy along the ground – that's the core idea.
From this simple act of "pulling," many other meanings have drawn themselves out over time (see what I did there?). For example:
Pulling a bowstring to shoot an arrow is a direct extension of this "pulling" meaning, first appearing around the 12th century.
The idea of "making a line or figure" (as in drawing a picture) also emerged around the 12th century. Think of it as "pulling" a pencil or pen across a surface to create marks.
"To extract or remove" something by pulling (like drawing a sword from its sheath, or drawing water from a well) also came into use around the 12th century.
The sense of "attracting" something (like how a magnet draws metal, or a concert draws a crowd) developed later, around the 16th century, building on the idea of pulling something towards oneself.
The meaning of a "tie" in a game (like a "drawn match") comes from the idea of "withdrawing" or "pulling back" from a decisive outcome, leaving the contest undecided. This usage appeared around the 17th century.
So, while today we often think of "draw" as creating art, its original and foundational meaning was simply to pull or drag something. All the other diverse uses of the word evolved from that basic concept of exerting force to move something.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Draw
Draw a blank: To be unable to remember something; to fail to get a response.
Draw a line in the sand: To establish a limit beyond which one will not go.
Draw fire: To attract criticism or attack.
Draw attention: To attract notice or observation.
Draw a conclusion: To arrive at a judgment or decision after consideration.
Draw straws: To make a choice or decision by lot.
Draw on (someone/something): To use as a source of information, support, or inspiration.
Draw up: To prepare or draft (e.g., a contract, a plan).
Draw out: To encourage someone to talk or express themselves.
Draw blood: To cause an injury that makes someone bleed; to hurt someone deeply.
Draw a crowd: To attract a large number of people.
Draw breath: To breathe.
Draw a bead on: To take aim at something.
Draw the short straw: To be chosen to do an unpleasant task.
Draw in one's horns: To become less assertive or less active.
Draw near/closer: To approach.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of draw from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
