draw
/drɔː/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To make a picture or line with a pen, pencil, or similar tool. It can also mean to pull something toward you.
- She likes to draw animals.
- Please draw the curtains.
- He drew a quick map.
noun
A game, match, or contest with no winner. It can also mean an act of attracting attention or interest.
- The final ended in a draw.
- The new museum is a big draw.
- The match was a draw.
Adinary Nuance
Draw is broader than sketch, which usually means a quick or rough picture. It is also different from pull: draw is often used in more set phrases, like draw a line or draw curtains. As a noun, draw can mean a tied result, while tie is more common in everyday sports talk.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- vẽ
- Spanish
- dibujar
- Chinese
- 画
- Japanese
- 描く
- Korean
- 그리다
Etymology
Draw comes from Old English dragan, meaning “to pull.” The meaning “make a picture” developed later, from the idea of pulling a pen or pencil across a surface.
Common phrases
draw a linedraw attentiondraw a mapdraw curtains
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is draw the same as sketch?
- Not exactly. Draw is the general word, while sketch means a quick or simple drawing.
- What does draw mean in sports?
- It means a game ends with both sides equal, so there is no winner.
- Is draw formal or informal?
- It is neutral. You can use it in everyday speech, writing, and academic English.
- Can draw mean attract?
- Yes. It can mean to attract people, interest, or attention.