draw
gb/dɹˈɔ/ us/dɹˈɔ/
A1
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
action
1
Make a picture with pen or pencil
To make a picture by using a pen or pencil on paper.
Usage pattern:
to draw [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'draw' with 'paint', but 'paint' uses colors and brushes while 'draw' uses lines from pens or pencils.
Synonyms
sketch (Often suggests a quick or rough drawing rather than a finished work.)
Antonyms
erase (To remove or delete marks rather than create them.)
Collocations
draw a picture
|draw a line
|draw a map
|draw a sketch
Themes
art
|daily life
|arts_entertainment
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She likes to draw portraits of her friends.
- The architect drew a plan for the new building.
- He drew a map to help us find the park.
Learner examples
- I can draw a cat.
- She draws pictures every day.
- He draws a tree on the paper.
Verb
A2
action
2
Pull something toward you or in a direction
To pull something closer to you or to another place.
Usage pattern:
to draw [something] [towards/closer/out]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'pull' instead of 'draw' in set expressions like 'draw the curtains'.
Synonyms
pull (General term for moving something toward oneself; 'draw' can sound slightly more formal or deliberate.)
Antonyms
push (To move something away from oneself instead of toward.)
Collocations
draw the curtains
|draw a bow
|draw someone closer
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She drew the curtains to block the sunlight.
- He drew his chair closer to the table.
- The knight drew his sword from its sheath.
Learner examples
- I draw the chair to the desk.
- She draws the door closed.
- He draws the box near.
Verb
B1
action
3
Attract attention or interest
To make people look at or think about something.
Usage pattern:
to draw [attention/interest] [to/towards] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse 'draw attention' with 'pay attention', which means to focus on something yourself.
Synonyms
attract (A general term for gaining attention; 'draw' is often used in fixed expressions like 'draw attention'.)
Antonyms
distract (To take attention away from something rather than bring it toward it.)
Collocations
draw attention
|draw interest
|draw criticism
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The speaker's joke drew laughter from the audience.
- The bright colors drew my attention immediately.
- The report drew criticism from experts.
Learner examples
- The music draws many people.
- Her dress draws my eyes.
- The news draws attention from the public.
Verb
B1
action
4
Take liquid, gas, or energy from source
To take liquid, gas, energy, or other material from where it is kept.
Usage pattern:
to draw [liquid/gas/energy] [from something]
Synonyms
extract (More formal; often used in scientific contexts for taking something out of another material.)
Antonyms
supply (To give or provide something rather than take it.)
Collocations
draw water from a well
|draw blood
|draw power
Themes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They drew water from the well every morning.
- The nurse drew blood for testing.
- The machine draws power from the main generator.
Learner examples
- He draws water from the river.
- The doctor draws blood from my arm.
- The car draws power from the battery.
Noun
A2
event
5
Game ending in no winner
When two players or teams have the same score, so there is no winner.
Synonyms
tie ('Tie' is more common in American English; 'draw' is more common in British English.)
Antonyms
victory (A result where one side wins instead of neither side winning.)
Collocations
end in a draw
|play to a draw
Themes
sports
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The match ended in a draw after extra time.
- They played to a 1–1 draw.
- It was the team's third draw of the season.
Learner examples
- The game is a draw.
- We end with a draw.
- It was a 2–2 draw.
Grammar
Dictionary form
draw
IPA
GB/dɹˈɔ/
US/dɹˈɔ/
Syllables & stress
draw (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (draw)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: draw
- Plural: draws
Verb
- Base: draw
- 3rd Person Singular: draws
- Present Participle: drawing
- Past: drew
- Past Participle: drawn
Word family
Forms
draws
noun
drawing
verb
drew
verb
drawn
verb
Related words
drawer
noun A2
redraw
verb
Advanced or less common
withdraw
verb A2
withdrawal
noun B1
Highlights
- Irregular past: drew Verb
- Irregular past participle: drawn Verb
Expressions
draw out
1/dɹˈɔ ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Make something last longer than usual
To make something continue longer than needed.
Examples
- He tried to draw out the conversation to avoid going back to work.
- The teacher drew out the lesson with extra examples.
draw the line (at)
1/dɹˈɔ ðə lˈaɪn ˈæt/
idiom
Set a limit you will not cross
To say you will not allow something to happen beyond a certain point.
Examples
- I don’t mind helping, but I draw the line at doing your homework for you.
- We have to draw the line somewhere when it comes to spending.
draw up
1/dɹˈɔ ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Prepare document or plan in writing
To write an official paper or plan.
Examples
- They drew up a contract before starting work.
- The lawyer will draw up your will.
short straw (draw the)
1/ʃˈɔɹt stɹˈɔ dɹˈɔ ðə/
idiom
informal
Be chosen for an unwanted task by chance
To be picked by chance to do something unpleasant.
Examples
- I drew the short straw and had to clean up after the party.
- Whoever draws the short straw has to do the dishes.
draw attention to
1/dɹˈɔ ətˈɛnʃən tə/
phrasal verb
make others notice something
To make people see or know about something.
Examples
- She wore a bright dress to draw attention to herself.
- The report draws attention to the need for better safety measures.
draw attention to
2/dɹˈɔ ətˈɛnʃən tə/
phrasal verb
Cause people to notice something specific
To make people see or think about something.
Examples
- The teacher drew attention to the mistake on the board.
- The article draws attention to climate change issues.