drawer
drawer
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "drawer" is /drɔːr/ or /drɔːər/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
drɔːr:
First syllable: /drɔːr/ - Consists of the "dr" consonant cluster, the "aw" vowel sound, and the "r" consonant sound.
drɔːər:
First syllable: /drɔː/ - Consists of the "dr" consonant cluster and the "aw" vowel sound.
Second syllable: /ər/ - Consists of the "er" vowel sound.
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: drawer
Plural Noun: drawers
"Drawer" is primarily used as a noun. There are no common verb, adjective, or adverb forms directly derived from "drawer" in its typical usage.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A box-like compartment, typically without a top, designed to slide in and out of a piece of furniture (such as a desk, chest, or cabinet) for storage.
Synonyms: compartment, bin, receptacle, pull-out
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific meaning, as it describes a type of object. One might consider "shelf" or "open space" as a contrast in storage method.)
Definition 2 (Plural: "drawers"): An article of clothing worn on the lower body, typically under other garments; underpants or shorts. This usage is less common in modern American English but persists in British English and historical contexts.
Synonyms: underpants, briefs, knickers (British English), shorts (when referring to undergarments)
Antonyms: outerwear, overgarments
Definition 3 (Less common/dated): A person who draws something, especially a picture, map, or plan; an artist or draughtsman.
Synonyms: artist, draughtsman, sketcher, illustrator
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; someone who doesn't draw isn't typically given a specific term.)
Examples of Use
Books:
"She opened the top drawer of her bedside table, searching for her reading glasses." (From The Guest List by Lucy Fokley, April 2020)
"In the bottom drawer of the old filing cabinet, they discovered a forgotten stack of letters."
Newspapers:
"Police found the stolen jewelry hidden in a kitchen drawer during their search of the suspect's apartment." (From an article in The Guardian, October 2023)
"Organizers are calling for donations of gently used clothing to fill the donation drawers at local community centers."
Online Publications:
"The article offers tips on how to organize your desk drawers for maximum productivity." (From Lifehacker.com, January 2024)
"I always keep a spare phone charger in my desk drawer at work, just in case." (From a personal finance blog post, September 2023)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Show: "Check the top drawer of the dresser," a character instructed another in a scene from the show Succession. (Aired on HBO, March 2023)
Film: In the movie Knives Out, a crucial piece of evidence is discovered in a hidden drawer of a antique desk. (Released November 2019)
Podcast: "Our guest today shares how decluttering her sock drawer sparked a complete home organization overhaul." (From a popular lifestyle podcast, December 2023)
Video Game: A quest objective in Fallout 4 might instruct the player to "search the metal drawer for supplies." (Released November 2015)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you hand me the scissors from the kitchen drawer?" (Common household request)
"I need to buy some dividers for my junk drawer; it's a mess." (Everyday conversation about home organization)
"He keeps all his important documents locked away in a fireproof drawer." (Discussing personal security)
10 Quotes Using Drawer
"I have a drawer full of ideas that I haven't gotten to yet." (J.J. Abrams, reported in Vanity Fair, May 2013)
"The first thing I do when I get to a hotel room is open every drawer and cupboard." (Anthony Bourdain, from an interview, October 2017)
"Keep your coins in a purse, and your papers in a drawer." (Traditional Proverb)
"Every writer has a drawer of discarded stories." (Original quote)
"He reached into the bottom drawer of his desk for the hidden candy." (From The Secret History by Donna Tartt, September 1992)
"I put all my worries in a mental drawer and lock it away." (Lesser-known quote attributed to a self-help guru)
"Sometimes, the best solution is found at the bottom of the drawer." (Original quote)
"The old drawer creaked open, revealing forgotten treasures." (From The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George, May 2015)
"She keeps her most cherished memories in a special drawer, not a photo album." (Original quote)
"My life is like a messy drawer; full of things I need but can't quite find." (Original quote)
Etymology
The word "drawer" comes from the Old English word "dragan," which means "to pull" or "to drag." So, at its core, a "drawer" is simply something that is drawn or pulled out.
The earliest known use of "drawer" dates back to the mid-14th century. At that time, its meaning wasn't about furniture as we know it today. Instead, it referred to:
A person who draws: This could be someone who drew water from a well, or someone who pulled or dragged something. It could even refer to a waiter or bartender who "draws" beer from a tap.
Clothing (plural: "drawers"): Around the 1560s, "drawers" started being used for garments that were "drawn" or pulled on, like underpants or shorts.
It wasn't until the late 16th century (around the 1570s) that "drawer" took on the meaning we most commonly use today: a box-shaped compartment that can be pulled out of a piece of furniture for storage. Before this, people mostly used large chests with hinged lids for storage, and the idea of a sliding compartment was a newer development in furniture design.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Drawer
Junk drawer: A specific drawer, often in a kitchen, where miscellaneous small items are kept.
Bottom drawer: Historically, a drawer or chest where a young woman would collect items for her future home and marriage; a hope chest.
From the top drawer: Of excellent quality or from the highest social standing (referring to the best items often being kept in the top drawer).
To open the memory drawer: To recall past events or memories (original phrase).
To pull out a hidden drawer: To reveal something unexpected or previously concealed (original phrase).
To have a full drawer of tricks/ideas: To have many plans or creative solutions available (idiom with "drawer" instead of "bag").
To rummage through the drawer of options: To consider various choices (original phrase, using "drawer" as a metaphor for a collection).
To close the drawer on a topic: To finish discussing or dealing with a subject, putting it away (original phrase).
A drawer full of secrets: Implies many hidden or undisclosed matters.
To be stuck in the drawer: To be forgotten or unused, like an item stored away and not retrieved (original phrase).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of drawer from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
