drawing
drawing
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "drawing" is /ˈdrɔːɪŋ/.
ˈdrɔː: /drɔː/ - Consists of the "dr" consonant cluster, followed by the "aw" vowel sound.
ɪŋ: /ɪŋ/ - Consists of the "ih" vowel sound, followed by the "ng" consonant sound.
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: drawing
Plural Noun: drawings
Present Participle (Verb): drawing
Gerund (Verb acting as Noun): drawing
Past Participle (Verb/Adjective): drawn (though "drawing" can function adjectivally in certain contexts, e.g., "drawing room")
Third-person singular simple present (Verb): draws
Simple past (Verb): drew
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
An image or representation made with lines and marks, typically on a surface like paper, using tools such as pencils, pens, or charcoal.
Synonyms: sketch, illustration, depiction, rendering, diagram, portrait
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "erasure" or "blank canvas" represent an absence rather than an opposite.)
Example: The artist spent hours on the intricate drawing of the old building.
The act, process, or art of producing pictures or designs with lines and marks.
Synonyms: sketching, illustrating, depicting, rendering, portrayal
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "destruction" or "obliteration" might represent the cessation of the act.)
Example: Her passion for drawing began at a young age.
A lottery or raffle, where winners are selected by chance from a group of participants.
Synonyms: lottery, raffle, sweepstake, selection, pull
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "fixed outcome" or "preselection" represent the opposite of chance.)
Example: The winning ticket for the charity drawing was number 73.
Verb (Present Participle/Gerund)
In the process of creating a picture or diagram by making lines and marks, typically with a pen, pencil, or other implement.
Synonyms: sketching, illustrating, depicting, rendering, portraying, delineating
Antonyms: erasing, smudging (in terms of undoing the act of drawing); obscuring
Example: He was drawing a portrait of his dog when the phone rang.
In the process of attracting or pulling something or someone toward oneself.
Synonyms: attracting, pulling, luring, enticing, captivating, engaging
Antonyms: repelling, pushing, deterring, alienating, driving away
Example: The magnet was drawing the metal filings closer. The speaker was drawing a large crowd.
In the process of extracting or taking something out from a source or container.
Synonyms: extracting, pulling out, taking out, withdrawing, siphoning, deriving
Antonyms: inserting, adding, pouring in, depositing, replenishing
Example: The well was drawing water from deep underground. She was drawing a conclusion from the evidence.
In the process of making a comparison or distinction between things.
Synonyms: comparing, distinguishing, differentiating, contrasting, likening
Antonyms: equating, conflating, blurring, ignoring differences
Example: The professor was drawing a parallel between the two historical events.
Examples of Use
Books:
"His latest book, The Art of Simple Drawing, offers a refreshing perspective on creating meaningful sketches with minimal effort." (Penguin Random House, October 2024)
"In The Secret Garden, Mary Lennox discovers a hidden key and a pathway into a wondrous space, a place for her own spiritual drawing and renewal."
Newspapers:
"The local council announced the results of the annual Christmas raffle drawing, with a record number of participants this year." (Daily Nation)
"Architects are submitting their initial drawings for the proposed waterfront development project." (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"Digital drawing tablets have revolutionized how artists create and share their work online, offering unparalleled flexibility." (Creative Bloq)
"An article on Bored Panda showcased a series of hilarious animal drawings that went viral on social media." (Bored Panda)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The animated film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is celebrated for its groundbreaking visual style, reminiscent of comic book drawing."
Television: "On the reality competition show Ink Master, contestants are challenged to create intricate tattoo drawings under pressure."
Video Games: "Many players enjoy the creative freedom offered by games like Minecraft, where they can spend hours drawing and building their own virtual worlds."
Music (Lyrics): "She was drawing lines in the sand, never looking back at what we had." (From the song "Drawing Lines" by an indie band)
Social Media: "Check out my new drawing! I tried a different shading technique this time. #art #drawing #sketch" (Instagram post, March 2025)
General Public Discourse:
"We're having a charity drawing next month to raise funds for the animal shelter."
"Could you pass me that drawing? I need to make some notes on it."
"He's really good at drawing caricatures; he always captures people's personalities perfectly."
"The sheer beauty of the landscape was drawing gasps from the tourists."
"She kept drawing attention to herself with her extravagant outfit."
10 Quotes Using Drawing
"Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." (John W. Gardner)
"A drawing is simply a line going for a walk." (Paul Klee)
"I sometimes think there is nothing so delightful as drawing." (Vincent van Gogh)
"Photography is an immediate reaction, drawing is a meditation." (Henri Cartier-Bresson)
"Drawing is the honesty of the art. There is no possibility of cheating. It is either good or bad." (Salvador Dalí)
"It is only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover, to your surprise, that you have rendered something in its true character." (Camille Pissarro)
"I prefer drawing to talking. Drawing is faster, and leaves less room for lies." (Le Corbusier)
"In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing." (Vincent van Gogh)
"Drawing makes you see things clearer, and clearer and clearer still, until your eyes ache." (David Hockney)
"The very act of drawing an object, however badly, swiftly takes the drawer from a woolly sense of what the object looks like to a precise awareness of its component parts and particularities." (Alain de Botton)
Etymology
The word "drawing" comes from the Old English word "dragan," which meant "to drag, pull, or draw." Think of it like physically pulling something along.
Over time, the meaning of "dragan" expanded. By the 14th century, "drawing" also started to mean the act of pulling a tool across a surface to make marks or lines. This is the origin of our modern sense of "drawing" a picture. So, the first known use of "drawing" in the sense of creating an image dates back to around that period.
Eventually, the noun form "drawing" emerged to refer to the picture itself that was created by this act. It also kept its older sense of a "pulling" or "selection," which is why we still have things like a "lottery drawing" today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Drawing
Drawing a blank: Unable to recall something; forgetting.
Drawing a line in the sand: Setting a limit beyond which one will not go.
Drawing a conclusion: Forming an opinion or judgment after considering information.
Drawing attention: Attracting notice or interest.
Drawing on experience/knowledge: Using one's past experiences or knowledge to help with a current situation.
Drawing fire: Attracting criticism or attack.
Drawing straws: Making a decision by randomly selecting straws of different lengths.
Drawing power: The ability to attract people or interest.
Drawing blood: Causing an injury that bleeds.
Drawing breath: Being alive; breathing.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of drawing from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
