draw
♦♦♦ draw /dr'ɔː/ (draws drawing drew drawn)
1 [VERB] V, V n
When you draw, or when you draw something, you use a pencil or pen to produce a picture, pattern, or diagram.
She would sit there drawing with the pencil stub...
Draw a rough design for a logo...
= sketch
● drawing [N-UNCOUNT]
I like dancing, singing and drawing.
2 [VERB] V adv/prep
When a vehicle draws somewhere, it moves there smoothly and steadily.
Claire had seen the taxi drawing away...
3 [VERB] V adv/prep, V adj
If you draw somewhere, you move there slowly. (WRITTEN)
She drew away and did not smile...
When we drew level, he neither slowed down nor accelerated.
4 [VERB] V n prep, V n adj, V n with adv
If you draw something or someone in a particular direction, you move them in that direction, usually by pulling them gently. (WRITTEN)
He drew his chair nearer the fire...
He put his arm around Caroline's shoulders and drew her close to him...
Wilson drew me aside after an interview.
= pull
5 [VERB] V n, V-ed
When you draw a curtain or blind, you pull it across a window, either to cover or to uncover it.
After drawing the curtains, she lit a candle...
Mother was lying on her bed, with the blinds drawn.
6 [VERB] V n
If someone draws a gun, knife, or other weapon, they pull it out of its container and threaten you with it.
He drew his dagger and turned to face his pursuers.
= take out
7 [VERB] V n
If an animal or vehicle draws something such as a cart, carriage, or another vehicle, it pulls it along.
...a slow-moving tractor, drawing a trailer.
8 [VERB] V n
If you draw a deep breath, you breathe in deeply once.
He paused, drawing a deep breath.
9 [VERB] V on n, V n into n
If you draw on a cigarette, you breathe the smoke from it into your mouth or lungs.
He drew on an American cigarette...
Her cheeks hollowed as she drew smoke into her lungs.
10 [VERB] V n from n
To draw something such as water or energy from a particular source means to take it from that source.
Villagers still have to draw their water from wells.
11 [VERB] V n
If something that hits you or presses part of your body draws blood, it cuts your skin so that it bleeds.
Any practice that draws blood could increase the risk of getting the virus.
12 [VERB] V n with out, V n from n
If you draw money out of a bank, building society, or savings account, you get it from the account so that you can use it.
She was drawing out cash from a cash machine...
Companies could not draw money from bank accounts as cash.
13 [VERB] V n
If you draw a salary or a sum of money, you receive a sum of money regularly.
For the first few years I didn't draw any salary at all...
14 [VERB] V n
To draw something means to choose it or to be given it, as part of a competition, game, or lottery.
We delved through a sackful of letters to draw the winning name...
[N-COUNT]
Draw is also a noun.
...the draw for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.
15 [N-COUNT]
A draw is a competition where people pay money for numbered or named tickets, then some of those tickets are chosen, and the owners are given prizes.
16 [VERB] V n from n
To draw something from a particular thing or place means to take or get it from that thing or place.
I draw strength from the millions of women who have faced this challenge successfully...
17 [VERB] V n from n, V n
If you draw a particular conclusion, you decide that that conclusion is true.
He draws two conclusions from this...
He says he cannot yet draw any conclusions about the murders.
18 [VERB] V n
If you draw a comparison, parallel, or distinction, you compare or contrast two different ideas, systems, or other things.
...literary critics drawing comparisons between George Sand and George Eliot...
19 [VERB] V n, V n to n
If you draw someone's attention to something, you make them aware of it or make them think about it.
He was waving his arms to draw their attention...
He just wants to draw attention to the plight of the unemployed.
20 [VERB] V n from n, V n
If someone or something draws a particular reaction, people react to it in that way.
Such a policy would inevitably draw fierce resistance from farmers.
...an official tour to South Africa which drew angry political reactions.
21 [VERB] V n
If something such as a film or an event draws a lot of people, it is so interesting or entertaining that a lot of people go to it.
The game is currently drawing huge crowds.
22 [VERB] V n, V n to n
If someone or something draws you, it attracts you very strongly.
He drew and enthralled her...
What drew him to the area was its proximity to central London.
23 [VERB] with brd-neg, usu passive, be V-ed on n, be V-ed
If someone will not be drawn or refuses to be drawn, they will not reply to questions in the way that you want them to, or will not reveal information or their opinion. (mainly BRIT)
The ambassador would not be drawn on questions of a political nature...
`Did he say why?'--`No, he refuses to be drawn.'
24 [V-RECIP] pl-n V num, V with/against n, V n (non-recip)
In a game or competition, if one person or team draws with another one, or if two people or teams draw, they have the same number of points or goals at the end of the game. (mainly BRIT)
Holland and the Republic of Ireland drew one-one...
We drew with Ireland in the first game...
Egypt drew two of their matches in Italy.
= tie
[N-COUNT]
Draw is also a noun. (in AM, usually use tie)
We were happy to come away with a draw against Sweden.
25
see also drawing
26 [PHRASE] V inflects
When an event or period of time draws to a close or draws to an end, it finishes.
Another celebration had drawn to its close.
27 [PHRASE] V inflects
If an event or period of time is drawing closer or is drawing nearer, it is approaching.
And all the time next spring's elections are drawing closer...
28
to draw a blank: see blank
to draw the line: see line
to draw lots: see lotdraw in
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you say that the nights, evenings, or days are drawing in, you mean that it is becoming dark at an earlier time in the evening, because autumn or winter is approaching. (BRIT)
The days draw in and the mornings get darker.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V n P n
If you draw someone in or draw them into something you are involved with, you cause them to become involved with it.
It won't be easy for you to draw him in...
Don't let him draw you into his strategy.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you draw in your breath, you breathe in deeply. If you draw in air, you take it into your lungs as you breathe in.
Rose drew her breath in sharply...
Roll the wine around in your mouth, drawing in air at the same time.
= take indraw into
see draw in 2draw off
[PHRASAL VERB] be V-ed P, V P n (not pron), also V n P
If a quantity of liquid is drawn off from a larger quantity, it is taken from it, usually by means of a needle or pipe.
The fluid can be drawn off with a syringe...
Doctors drew off a pint of his blood.draw on
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you draw on or draw upon something such as your skill or experience, you make use of it in order to do something.
He drew on his experience as a yachtsman to make a documentary programme.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
As a period of time draws on, it passes and the end of it gets closer.
As the afternoon drew on we were joined by more of the regulars.
= wear ondraw out
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If you draw someone out, you make them feel less nervous and more willing to talk.
Her mother tried every approach to draw her out.draw up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you draw up a document, list, or plan, you prepare it and write it out.
They agreed to draw up a formal agreement...
He wants his ministers to concentrate on implementing policy, not on drawing it up.
= formulate
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you draw up a chair, you move it nearer to a person or place, for example so that you can watch something or join in with something.
He drew up a chair and sat down.
= pull updraw upon
see draw on 1no-score draw (no-score draws)
[N-COUNT]
A no-score draw is the result of a football match in which neither team scores any goals.score draw (score draws)
[N-COUNT]
A score draw is the result of a football match in which both teams score at least one goal, and they score the same number of goals. (BRIT)
1 [VERB] V, V n
When you draw, or when you draw something, you use a pencil or pen to produce a picture, pattern, or diagram.
She would sit there drawing with the pencil stub...
Draw a rough design for a logo...
= sketch
● drawing [N-UNCOUNT]
I like dancing, singing and drawing.
2 [VERB] V adv/prep
When a vehicle draws somewhere, it moves there smoothly and steadily.
Claire had seen the taxi drawing away...
3 [VERB] V adv/prep, V adj
If you draw somewhere, you move there slowly. (WRITTEN)
She drew away and did not smile...
When we drew level, he neither slowed down nor accelerated.
4 [VERB] V n prep, V n adj, V n with adv
If you draw something or someone in a particular direction, you move them in that direction, usually by pulling them gently. (WRITTEN)
He drew his chair nearer the fire...
He put his arm around Caroline's shoulders and drew her close to him...
Wilson drew me aside after an interview.
= pull
5 [VERB] V n, V-ed
When you draw a curtain or blind, you pull it across a window, either to cover or to uncover it.
After drawing the curtains, she lit a candle...
Mother was lying on her bed, with the blinds drawn.
6 [VERB] V n
If someone draws a gun, knife, or other weapon, they pull it out of its container and threaten you with it.
He drew his dagger and turned to face his pursuers.
= take out
7 [VERB] V n
If an animal or vehicle draws something such as a cart, carriage, or another vehicle, it pulls it along.
...a slow-moving tractor, drawing a trailer.
8 [VERB] V n
If you draw a deep breath, you breathe in deeply once.
He paused, drawing a deep breath.
9 [VERB] V on n, V n into n
If you draw on a cigarette, you breathe the smoke from it into your mouth or lungs.
He drew on an American cigarette...
Her cheeks hollowed as she drew smoke into her lungs.
10 [VERB] V n from n
To draw something such as water or energy from a particular source means to take it from that source.
Villagers still have to draw their water from wells.
11 [VERB] V n
If something that hits you or presses part of your body draws blood, it cuts your skin so that it bleeds.
Any practice that draws blood could increase the risk of getting the virus.
12 [VERB] V n with out, V n from n
If you draw money out of a bank, building society, or savings account, you get it from the account so that you can use it.
She was drawing out cash from a cash machine...
Companies could not draw money from bank accounts as cash.
13 [VERB] V n
If you draw a salary or a sum of money, you receive a sum of money regularly.
For the first few years I didn't draw any salary at all...
14 [VERB] V n
To draw something means to choose it or to be given it, as part of a competition, game, or lottery.
We delved through a sackful of letters to draw the winning name...
[N-COUNT]
Draw is also a noun.
...the draw for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.
15 [N-COUNT]
A draw is a competition where people pay money for numbered or named tickets, then some of those tickets are chosen, and the owners are given prizes.
16 [VERB] V n from n
To draw something from a particular thing or place means to take or get it from that thing or place.
I draw strength from the millions of women who have faced this challenge successfully...
17 [VERB] V n from n, V n
If you draw a particular conclusion, you decide that that conclusion is true.
He draws two conclusions from this...
He says he cannot yet draw any conclusions about the murders.
18 [VERB] V n
If you draw a comparison, parallel, or distinction, you compare or contrast two different ideas, systems, or other things.
...literary critics drawing comparisons between George Sand and George Eliot...
19 [VERB] V n, V n to n
If you draw someone's attention to something, you make them aware of it or make them think about it.
He was waving his arms to draw their attention...
He just wants to draw attention to the plight of the unemployed.
20 [VERB] V n from n, V n
If someone or something draws a particular reaction, people react to it in that way.
Such a policy would inevitably draw fierce resistance from farmers.
...an official tour to South Africa which drew angry political reactions.
21 [VERB] V n
If something such as a film or an event draws a lot of people, it is so interesting or entertaining that a lot of people go to it.
The game is currently drawing huge crowds.
22 [VERB] V n, V n to n
If someone or something draws you, it attracts you very strongly.
He drew and enthralled her...
What drew him to the area was its proximity to central London.
23 [VERB] with brd-neg, usu passive, be V-ed on n, be V-ed
If someone will not be drawn or refuses to be drawn, they will not reply to questions in the way that you want them to, or will not reveal information or their opinion. (mainly BRIT)
The ambassador would not be drawn on questions of a political nature...
`Did he say why?'--`No, he refuses to be drawn.'
24 [V-RECIP] pl-n V num, V with/against n, V n (non-recip)
In a game or competition, if one person or team draws with another one, or if two people or teams draw, they have the same number of points or goals at the end of the game. (mainly BRIT)
Holland and the Republic of Ireland drew one-one...
We drew with Ireland in the first game...
Egypt drew two of their matches in Italy.
= tie
[N-COUNT]
Draw is also a noun. (in AM, usually use tie)
We were happy to come away with a draw against Sweden.
25
see also drawing
26 [PHRASE] V inflects
When an event or period of time draws to a close or draws to an end, it finishes.
Another celebration had drawn to its close.
27 [PHRASE] V inflects
If an event or period of time is drawing closer or is drawing nearer, it is approaching.
And all the time next spring's elections are drawing closer...
28
to draw a blank: see blank
to draw the line: see line
to draw lots: see lotdraw in
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you say that the nights, evenings, or days are drawing in, you mean that it is becoming dark at an earlier time in the evening, because autumn or winter is approaching. (BRIT)
The days draw in and the mornings get darker.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V n P n
If you draw someone in or draw them into something you are involved with, you cause them to become involved with it.
It won't be easy for you to draw him in...
Don't let him draw you into his strategy.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you draw in your breath, you breathe in deeply. If you draw in air, you take it into your lungs as you breathe in.
Rose drew her breath in sharply...
Roll the wine around in your mouth, drawing in air at the same time.
= take indraw into
see draw in 2draw off
[PHRASAL VERB] be V-ed P, V P n (not pron), also V n P
If a quantity of liquid is drawn off from a larger quantity, it is taken from it, usually by means of a needle or pipe.
The fluid can be drawn off with a syringe...
Doctors drew off a pint of his blood.draw on
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you draw on or draw upon something such as your skill or experience, you make use of it in order to do something.
He drew on his experience as a yachtsman to make a documentary programme.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
As a period of time draws on, it passes and the end of it gets closer.
As the afternoon drew on we were joined by more of the regulars.
= wear ondraw out
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If you draw someone out, you make them feel less nervous and more willing to talk.
Her mother tried every approach to draw her out.draw up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you draw up a document, list, or plan, you prepare it and write it out.
They agreed to draw up a formal agreement...
He wants his ministers to concentrate on implementing policy, not on drawing it up.
= formulate
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you draw up a chair, you move it nearer to a person or place, for example so that you can watch something or join in with something.
He drew up a chair and sat down.
= pull updraw upon
see draw on 1no-score draw (no-score draws)
[N-COUNT]
A no-score draw is the result of a football match in which neither team scores any goals.score draw (score draws)
[N-COUNT]
A score draw is the result of a football match in which both teams score at least one goal, and they score the same number of goals. (BRIT)