drawer
gb/dɹˈɔɹ/ us/dɹˈɔɹ/
A2
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Sliding compartment in furniture
A box that moves in and out of furniture for keeping things inside.
Usage pattern:
to open/close [a drawer]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'drawer' with 'draw' because they sound similar, but 'drawer' is a noun referring to furniture storage.
Synonyms
compartment (A general term for a separate section used to store things; not limited to sliding mechanisms.)
Antonyms
shelf (An open flat surface for storing things, opposite of an enclosed sliding compartment.)
Collocations
open a drawer
|close a drawer
|top drawer
|bottom drawer
|desk drawer
Themes
daily life
|home
|furniture
|housing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She pulled open the top drawer to find a pen.
- The keys are in the bottom drawer of the cabinet.
- He slammed the drawer shut in frustration.
- I keep my socks neatly folded in the dresser's middle drawer.
Learner examples
- I put my clothes in the drawer.
- The spoon is in the kitchen drawer.
- She opened the drawer and took out a pen.
- Please close the drawer after you use it.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
2
Person issuing a bill of exchange or cheque
A person who writes and signs a cheque or payment order.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is the drawer of [a cheque/bill]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'drawer' (person) with 'drawee' (bank or party paying).
Synonyms
issuer (More general term for someone who creates or provides an official document or payment instrument.)
Antonyms
drawee (The party expected to pay the amount specified in a cheque or bill, opposite role to the drawer.)
Collocations
cheque drawer
|bill drawer
|drawer of the note
Themes
business
|finance
|law
Examples
- The drawer must sign the cheque before it can be cashed.
- If the cheque bounces, the bank will return it to the drawer.
- The bill was returned to the drawer due to insufficient funds.
Learner examples
- The drawer signed the cheque.
- The bank called the drawer about the payment.
- The drawer sent money to the shop.
Grammar
Dictionary form
drawer
IPA
GB/dɹˈɔɹ/
US/dɹˈɔɹ/
Syllables & stress
draw - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (draw)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: drawer
- Plural: drawers
Word family
Forms
drawers
noun
Core family
draw
verb A1
drawing
noun
Expressions
bottom drawer
1/bˈɑtəm dɹˈɔɹ/
fixed phrase
Storage for future household goods (traditional)
A place where a woman keeps items she will use after getting married (traditional use).
Examples
- She kept her wedding china in her bottom drawer for years.
- In the past, young women would collect linens in their bottom drawer before marriage.
top drawer
1/tˈɑp dɹˈɔɹ/
idiom
informal
Of the highest quality or status
Very high quality or belonging to the best social level.
Examples
- That restaurant is really top drawer; you should try it.
- He comes from a top-drawer family with a long history.