draft
gb/dɹˈæft/ us/dɹˈæft/
A2
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Preliminary version of writing or plan
An early form of writing or a plan that will change before it is finished.
Usage pattern:
a draft of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'draft' with 'daft' (meaning silly) due to similar pronunciation.
Synonyms
manuscript (Often refers to a complete but unpublished text, especially for books.)
|
outline (A more skeletal or structured plan rather than a full version.)
Antonyms
final version (The completed and approved form of a text or plan.)
Collocations
first draft
|rough draft
|final draft
|draft version
Themes
work
|communication
|education
Examples
- She sent me the first draft of her novel.
- The committee reviewed the draft proposal before making changes.
- Please submit your draft by Friday for feedback.
Learner examples
- This is the first draft of my story.
- I wrote a draft before the final letter.
- He made a draft of the plan.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Mandatory military service system
A system where the government makes people join the army.
Usage pattern:
be called up in the draft
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'draft' here with 'draught' (British spelling for airflow or beer serving).
Synonyms
conscription (More formal/legal term for compulsory military service.)
Antonyms
voluntary enlistment (When someone chooses to join the military without being required.)
Collocations
military draft
|draft dodger
|draft notice
Themes
government
|military
|law
|politics
Examples
- Many young men were drafted during the war.
- The government introduced a new military draft.
- He moved abroad to avoid the draft.
Learner examples
- My grandfather joined the army because of the draft.
- The draft started during the war.
- Some people do not like the draft.
Noun
A2
event
3
Current of air moving indoors
A small movement of air coming into a room.
Usage pattern:
a draft from [a window/door]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'draught' in British English, which is spelled differently but pronounced the same.
Synonyms
breeze (Usually refers to a pleasant outdoor wind, not an indoor air leak.)
Antonyms
still air (Air without noticeable movement.)
Collocations
cold draft
|feel a draft
|drafty room
Themes
daily life
|environment
|housing
|weather
Examples
- I felt a cold draft coming from the window.
- Close the door—there’s a draft in here.
- The old house was full of drafts in winter.
Learner examples
- I feel a draft from the window.
- Close the door to stop the draft.
- There is a draft in this room.
Verb
B1
action
4
Write an initial version of something
To write or make an early form of something that will change later.
Usage pattern:
to draft [a letter/report/plan]
Synonyms
compose (Focuses more on the act of creating text, often with more polish.)
|
outline (To make a basic structure without full details.)
Antonyms
finalize (To complete and make something final.)
Collocations
draft a letter
|draft a proposal
|draft an agreement
Themes
work
|communication
|education
Examples
- She drafted a letter to her landlord about the repairs.
- The lawyer will draft the contract by next week.
- I’m drafting my speech for the conference.
Learner examples
- I will draft an email to my boss.
- He drafted a plan for the trip.
- She drafted a letter to her friend.
Noun
A2
entity
5
Beer served from keg or cask
Beer from a large container, not from a bottle or can.
Synonyms
draught beer (British English spelling and usage for the same concept.)
Antonyms
bottled beer (Beer served from bottles rather than kegs or casks.)
Collocations
draft beer
|on draft
Themes
food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- I’ll have a pint of the local draft.
- They serve only craft beer on draft here.
- Draft beer often tastes fresher than bottled beer.
Learner examples
- I want a glass of draft beer.
- This bar has good draft beer.
- Draft beer is cold and fresh.
Grammar
Dictionary form
draft
IPA
GB/dɹˈæft/
US/dɹˈæft/
Syllables & stress
draft (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (draft)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: draft
- Plural: draft, drafts
Verb
- Base: draft
- 3rd Person Singular: drafts
- Present Participle: drafting
- Past: drafted
Word family
Forms
drafts
noun
drafting
verb
drafted
verb
Related words
drafter
noun
redraft
verb
Expressions
first draft
1/fˈɚst dɹˈæft/
fixed phrase
Initial complete version of writing
The first full form of writing before it is changed or improved.
Examples
- She finished the first draft of her essay last night.
- The first draft is always the hardest to write.
on draft
1/ˈɔn dɹˈæft/
fixed phrase
Beer served from keg or cask
Beer you can get from a large container, not from bottles or cans.
Examples
- They have several local ales on draft.
- Is the stout available on draft today?
rough draft
1/ɹˈʌf dɹˈæft/
fixed phrase
Unpolished early version of work
An early form of writing or plan that is not finished and has mistakes.
Examples
- This is just a rough draft—we’ll fix it later.
- The rough draft helps us see the main ideas before editing.