draw
1 of 2verb
ˈdrȯ 
drew ˈdrü ; drawn ˈdrȯn
; drawn ˈdrȯn ˈdrän
; drawing transitive verb
1
: to cause to move continuously toward or after a force applied in advance : pull
draw your chair up by the fire
: such as a
: to move (something, such as a covering) over or to one side
draw the drapes
b
: to pull up or out of a receptacle or place where seated or carried
draw water from the well
drew a gun
also : to cause to come out of a container or source
draw water for a bath
the nurse drew a blood sample
the wound drew blood
2
: to cause to go in a certain direction (as by leading)
drew him aside
3
a
: to bring by inducement or allure : attract
honey draws flies
b
: to bring in or gather from a specified group or area
a college that draws its students from many states
c
: bring on, provoke
drew enemy fire
d
: to bring out by way of response : elicit
drew cheers from the audience
e
sports : to receive in the course of play
The batter drew a walk.
draw a foul
4
: inhale
drew a deep breath
5
a
: to extract the essence from
draw tea
b
: eviscerate
plucking and drawing a goose before cooking
c
: to derive to one's benefit
drew inspiration from the old masters
6
nautical : to require (a specified depth) to float in
a ship that draws 12 feet of water
7
a
: accumulate, gain
drawing interest
b
: to take (money) from a place of deposit
drew $100 from the bank
c
: to use in making a cash demand
drawing a check against his account
d
: to receive regularly or in due course
draw a salary
8
a
card games : to take (cards) from a stack or from the dealer
draw four cards
b
: to receive or take at random
drew a winning number
9
archery : to bend (a bow) by pulling back the string
drew the bow and aimed at the target
10
: to cause to shrink, contract, or tighten
draw your knees into your chest
Her face was drawn with pain.
11
sports
a
: to strike (a ball) so as to impart a backward spin
b
golf : to strike (a ball) so that a slight to moderate hook (see hook entry 1 sense 3) results
12
: to leave (a contest) undecided : tie
drew the game 3–3
13
a(1)
: to produce a likeness or representation of by making lines on a surface
draw a picture
draw a bowl of fruit
draw a graph with chalk
(2)
: to give a portrayal of : delineate
a writer who draws characters well
b
: to write out in due form
draw a will
c
: to design or describe in detail : formulate
draw comparisons
14
: to infer from evidence or premises
draw a conclusion
15
: to spread or elongate (metal) by hammering or by pulling through dies
also : to shape (a material, such as plastic) by stretching or by pulling through dies
intransitive verb
1
: to come or go steadily or gradually
night draws near
2
a
: to move something by pulling
drawing at the well
b
: to exert an attractive force
the play is drawing well
3
a
archery : to pull back a bowstring
b
: to bring out a weapon
drew, aimed, and fired
4
a
: to produce a draft
the chimney draws well
draw on a cigar
b
nautical : to swell out in a wind
all sails drawing
5
a
: to wrinkle or tighten up : shrink
b
: to change shape by pulling or stretching
6
medical : to cause blood or pus to localize at one point
7
: to create a likeness or a picture in outlines : sketch
loves to paint and draw
not good at drawing
8
: to come out even in a contest
they drew 3–3
9
a
: to make a written demand for payment of money on deposit
b
: to obtain resources (as of information)
drawing from a common fund of knowledge
drawable
ˈdrȯ-ə-bəl
adjective draw
2 of 2noun
1
: the act or process of drawing (see draw entry 1) : such as
a
: a sucking pull on something held with the lips
took a long draw on her cigarette
b
: a removal of a handgun from its holster
quick on the draw
c
: backward spin given to a ball by striking it below center compare follow
2
: something that is drawn: such as
a
: a lot or chance drawn at random
the only grand prize winner of the lottery draw
b
: the selection of competitors in a sports event
also : the arrangement of competitors in a sporting event by order drawn
the draw for a tennis tournament
c
: a card drawn to replace a discard in poker
d
: the movable part of a drawbridge
3
: a contest left undecided or deadlocked : tie
4
: one that draws attention or patronage (see patronage sense 4) : attraction
Their band is the main draw at the festival.
5
archery
a
: the distance from the string to the back of a drawn bow (see bow entry 3 sense 2)
b
: the force required to draw a bow fully
6
geology : a gully shallower than a ravine
7
: the deal in draw poker to improve the players' hands after discarding
8
football : a play that simulates a pass play so a runner can go straight up the middle past the pass rushers
9
golf : a slight to moderate and usually intentional hook (see hook entry 1 sense 3)
10
: a face-off in ice hockey
won the draw and knocked the puck backward
Synonyms
Verb
- picture
Noun
- dead heat
- stalemate
- standoff
- tie
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb The computer can draw the graph for you. Students drew maps of the states and labeled them. She sat down and began to draw. The case has drawn attention to the fact that many athletes never graduate. I would like to draw your attention to the third line. The band always draws a large crowd. The college draws students from around the world. The animals were drawn to the campsite by the smell of food. We hope the display in the window will draw customers in from the street. The lure of city life has drawn away many of the town's young people. Noun Their band is the main draw at the festival. The festival is always a big draw. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Serge Vasin, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023 Rishe says the game’s historical firsts give layers to the event that will draw additional interest. —Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2023 It’s all pretty traditional, to match her fashion aesthetic and comedy style that draw inspiration from the 1920s, '30s, '40s, and '50s. —Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 10 Feb. 2023 The Geysers, located in the Mayacamas Mountains 72 miles north of the city, contain 18 geothermal power plants that draw steam from more than 350 wells. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2023 Besides perennials and annuals, many vines, shrubs, and trees produce flowers that draw pollinators. —Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2023 Powerball’s abysmal odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to build big prizes that draw more players. —Staff And Wire Reports, oregonlive, 6 Feb. 2023 Snell, 31, is the type of swingman that could draw the Celtics’ interest, but there are likely to be more productive players on the trade and buyout market . . . —Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Feb. 2023 Dog sled rides are an attraction that will always draw a crowd. —John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Jan. 2023 David K. Li, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2023 Pacifica is one of the Bay Area’s most famous surfing destinations, with the beautiful and beginner-friendly Linda Mar Beach a particular draw for newcomers to the sport. —Jessica Flores, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2023 Though the active volcano stands as the area’s dominant draw, there’s plenty more to see and do in and around Hilo. —Alex Pulaski, oregonlive, 11 Feb. 2023 Lottery Director Eric Hagler said Friday that game margins with draw game ticket sales are significantly higher than with scratch-off ticket sales. —Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2023 But the city’s biggest draw are its three hot springs. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2023 Now the knockout stage draw has been completed, all of the remaining teams involved are expected to follow in the coming days. —Asif Burhan, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023 The nightmarish visions of Dante Alighieri, with their many circles of hell, ringed in blood and fire, would seem perhaps a natural draw for politicians who traffic in the rhetoric of us versus them, good versus evil. —Anna Momigliano, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2023 Recent progress has brought a spark of optimism, but Indiana's road to becoming a truly thriving film production draw is long and bumpy. —Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Feb. 2023 See More
Verb
This means using loyalty programs in creative ways that will draw users in and offer them a unique experience that stands out from other products on the market. —Serge Vasin, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023 Rishe says the game’s historical firsts give layers to the event that will draw additional interest. —Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2023 It’s all pretty traditional, to match her fashion aesthetic and comedy style that draw inspiration from the 1920s, '30s, '40s, and '50s. —Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 10 Feb. 2023 The Geysers, located in the Mayacamas Mountains 72 miles north of the city, contain 18 geothermal power plants that draw steam from more than 350 wells. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2023 Besides perennials and annuals, many vines, shrubs, and trees produce flowers that draw pollinators. —Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2023 Powerball’s abysmal odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to build big prizes that draw more players. —Staff And Wire Reports, oregonlive, 6 Feb. 2023 Snell, 31, is the type of swingman that could draw the Celtics’ interest, but there are likely to be more productive players on the trade and buyout market . . . —Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Feb. 2023 Dog sled rides are an attraction that will always draw a crowd. —John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Jan. 2023 Noun
Sunday's game was a huge TV draw, as millions of people tuned in for quirky ads and Rihanna's show-stopping halftime performance. —David K. Li, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2023 Pacifica is one of the Bay Area’s most famous surfing destinations, with the beautiful and beginner-friendly Linda Mar Beach a particular draw for newcomers to the sport. —Jessica Flores, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2023 Though the active volcano stands as the area’s dominant draw, there’s plenty more to see and do in and around Hilo. —Alex Pulaski, oregonlive, 11 Feb. 2023 Lottery Director Eric Hagler said Friday that game margins with draw game ticket sales are significantly higher than with scratch-off ticket sales. —Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2023 But the city’s biggest draw are its three hot springs. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2023 Now the knockout stage draw has been completed, all of the remaining teams involved are expected to follow in the coming days. —Asif Burhan, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023 The nightmarish visions of Dante Alighieri, with their many circles of hell, ringed in blood and fire, would seem perhaps a natural draw for politicians who traffic in the rhetoric of us versus them, good versus evil. —Anna Momigliano, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2023 Recent progress has brought a spark of optimism, but Indiana's road to becoming a truly thriving film production draw is long and bumpy. —Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Feb. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English drawen, dragen, from Old English dragan; akin to Old Norse draga to draw, drag
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing draw
Kids Definition
draw
1 of 2 verb ˈdrȯ
drew ˈdrü ; drawn ˈdrȯn ; drawing
; drawn ˈdrȯn ; drawing 1
a
: to cause to move by pulling : cause to follow
b
: to pull up or to one side
draw the curtains
c
: to pull up or out
drew water from the well
draw a gun
d
: to cause to come out of a container or source
draw water for a bath
2
: to move or go steadily or gradually
day was drawing to a close
3
a
: attract, entice
drew a crowd
b
: provoke sense 2
drew criticism
c
: to bring on as a response
drew cheers from the crowd
4
: inhale sense 1
drew a deep breath
5
a
: to cause (as the contents or essence) to come forth
brine draws moisture and sugars from the cucumbers
b
: eviscerate
drawn and plucked chickens
6
: to need (a specified depth) to float in
the boat draws three feet of water
7
a
: accumulate sense 1, gain
drawing interest
b
: to take money from a place of deposit : withdraw
c
: to receive regularly from a source
draw a salary
8
a
: to take (cards) from a stack or from the dealer
b
: to receive or take at random
drew a winning number
9
: to bend (a bow) by pulling back the string
10
: to cause to shrink or pucker
11
: to leave (a contest) undecided : tie
12
a
: to produce a likeness of by making lines on a surface
draw a picture
the computer can draw a graph on the screen
b
: to write out in proper form
draw up a will
c
: to describe in words
a writer who draws characters well
13
: deduce sense 1a
draw a conclusion
14
: to stretch or spread by or as if by pulling
some metals can be drawn out to form wire
15
: to produce a draft of air
the chimney draws well
drawable
-ə-bəl
adjective draw
2 of 2 noun1
: the act or result of drawing
2
: a tie contest or game
3
: something that draws attention
4
: a gully shallower than a ravine
Medical Definition
draw
verb ˈdrȯ
drew ˈdrü ; drawn ˈdrȯn ; drawing
; drawn ˈdrȯn ; drawing transitive verb
1
: to cause to move toward or localize in a surface
using a poultice to draw inflammation to a head
especially : to cause (an unwanted element) to depart (as from the body or a lesion)
this will help draw the poison
2
: inhale
she drew a deep breath
3
: to remove the viscera of : eviscerate
intransitive verb
1
: to cause local congestion : induce blood or other body fluid to localize at a particular point : be effective as a blistering agent or counterirritant —used of a poultice and comparable means of medication
2
of a lesion : to become localized —used in the phrase draw to a head
Legal Definition
draw
verb drew; drawn; drawing
transitive verb
1
: to compose by random selection
draw a jury
2
: to take (money) from a place of deposit
3
: to write and sign (a draft) in due form for use in making a demand
draw a check
4
: to write out in due form
hired an attorney to draw our wills
intransitive verb
: to make a written demand for payment of money on deposit
draws 1 of 2
verb
1
as in pictures
to make a representation of by producing lines on a surface see if you can draw the bowl of fruit Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- pictures
- sketches
- outlines
- pencils
- caricatures
- cartoons
- profiles
- crayons
- inks
- scrawls
- scribbles
2
as in pulls
to cause to follow by applying steady force on draw a chair up to the fire and sit with us Synonyms & Similar Words
- pulls
- hauls
- drags
- tugs
- attracts
- tows
- carries
- hales
- lugs
- moves
- conveys
- transports
- heaves
- yanks
- jerks
- ferries
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- pushes
- drives
- propels
- thrusts
- shoves
3
as in describes
to give a representation or account of in words a writer who draws characters with lifelike clarity Synonyms & Similar Words
- describes
- portrays
- depicts
- paints
- sets out
- renders
- characterizes
- illustrates
- summarizes
- sketches
- represents
- delineates
- recounts
- outlines
- defines
- limns
- displays
- pictures
- relates
- shows
- demonstrates
- narrates
- suggests
- tells
- images
- reports
- recites
- exhibits
- qualifies
- traces
- hints
- labels
- sums up
- vignettes
- silhouettes
- rehearses
- redescribes
- drafts
- reimages
- touches off
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- distorts
- misrepresents
- falsifies
- colors
- misstates
- twists
- warps
- perverts
- misdescribes
- garbles
4
as in earns
to receive as return for effort draws a hefty weekly salary Synonyms & Similar Words
- earns
- wins
- garners
- reaps
- gains
- gets
- makes
- obtains
- captures
- secures
- carries
- lands
- acquires
- attains
- realizes
- procures
- brings in
- achieves
- pulls down
- knocks down
- accumulates
- comes by
- bags
- accomplishes
- scores
- amasses
- nets
- catches
- occupies
- grosses
- recaptures
- regains
- clears
- reacquires
- picks up
- takes over
- annexes
- racks up
- notches (up)
- remakes
- reattains
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- loses
- gives
- pays
- forfeits
- grants
- yields
- accords
- relinquishes
- parts (with)
- surrenders
- hands over
- gives up
5
as in removes
to take away from a place or position draw her aside so we can ask a quick question Synonyms & Similar Words
- removes
- withdraws
- pulls
- extracts
- takes out
- clears
- dislodges
- moves
- draws out
- shifts
- draws off
- transposes
- abstracts
- cuts
- displaces
- transfers
- demounts
- disturbs
- dislocates
- budges
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- puts
- places
- positions
- secures
- sets
- mounts
- clamps
- roots
- fixes
- anchors
- embeds
- hitches
- sticks
- imbeds
- sites
- entrenches
- lodges
- sets up
- implants
- moors
- engrains
- ingrains
- situates
- intrenches
6
as in cleans
to take the internal organs out of hated the thought of having to pluck and draw a goose before cooking it Synonyms & Similar Words
- cleans
- removes
- extracts
- guts
- eviscerates
- withdraws
- cuts
- excises
- disembowels
- bones
- yanks
- dresses
- transplants
7
as in forges
to shape with a hammer drew the metal into a thin sheet by pounding it Synonyms & Similar Words
- forges
- carves
- pounds
- hammers
- fashions
- works
- beats
- chases
- cuts
- molds
- boasts
- forms
- sculpts
- pats
- kneads
- stamps
- models
- hews
- planishes
- coins
- sculptures
- abates
- chisels
- mints
- graves
- knaps
draws
2 of 2noun
1
as in ties
a situation in which neither participant in a contest, competition, or struggle comes out ahead of the other the game ended in a draw Synonyms & Similar Words
- ties
- dead heats
- stalemates
- seesaws
- deadlocks
- standoffs
- impasses
- horse races
- photo finishes
- toss-ups
2
as in attractions
something that attracts interest city leaders hoped that the new waterfront development would be a big draw for tourists Synonyms & Similar Words
- attractions
- magnets
- meccas
- centers
- appeals
- lures
- lodestones
- incentives
- loadstones
- allures
- calls
- poles
- fascinations
- capitals
- spurs
- enticements
- baits
- inducements
- allurements
- epicenters
- stimuli
- temptations
- cynosures
- spectacles
- persuasions
- polestars
- sights
- turn-ons
- curiosities
3
as in tugs
the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force took a draw on his cigarette and immediately started coughing Synonyms & Similar Words
- pulls
- tugs
- yanks
- hauls
- wrenches
- plucks
- grabs
- jerks
- tows
- drags
- snatches
- twitches
- hitches
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- pushes
- thrusts
- heaves
- shoves