draw

Pronunciation: /drɔː/

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Definition of draw

verb (past drew /druː/; past participle drawn /drɔːn/)

[with object]

1produce (a picture or diagram) by making lines and marks on paper with a pencil, pen, etc.:he drew a map
produce an image of (someone or something) by making lines and marks on paper:I asked her to draw me [no object]:you’re at art college, you must be able to draw
trace or produce (a line or mark) on a surface:she drew a wavering line down the board

2pull or drag (something such as a vehicle) so as to make it follow behind:a cart drawn by two horses
[with object and adverbial of direction] pull or move (something) in a specified direction:I drew back the blanket and uncovered the body
[with object and adverbial of direction] gently pull or guide (someone) in a specified direction:‘David,’ she whispered, drawing him aside
[no object, with adverbial of direction] move somewhere in a slow steady way:the train drew in to the station
[no object, with adverbial] come to or arrive at a point in time or in a process:the campaign drew to a close
pull (curtains) shut or open:do you want me to draw the curtains?
make (wire) by pulling a piece of metal through successively smaller holes.

3extract (an object) from a container or receptacle:he drew his gun and peered into the gloomy apartment

4take or obtain (liquid) from a container or receptacle:a wheel was built to draw water from the well he drew off a pint of bitter
run (a bath):I would have been drawing his bath
(draw something from) obtain something from (a particular source):an independent panel of judges drawn from members of the public
(draw on) use (one’s experience, talents, or skills) as a resource:Sue has a lot of past experience to draw on
obtain or withdraw (money) from a bank or other source: now I just draw out a spending allowance every week
Hunting search (cover) for game: many a time she had seen the hounds draw such a covert
Bridge (of the declarer) force the defenders to play (cards in a particular suit) by leading cards in that suit: before establishing his diamonds, declarer must draw trumps
(draw on) suck smoke from (a cigarette or pipe): she drew heavily on her cigarette
[no object] (of a chimney, flue, or fire) allow air to flow in and upwards freely, so that a fire can burn:failure of a fire to draw properly can have a number of causes
take in (a breath):Mrs Feather drew a long breath
[no object] (of tea) be left standing so that the flavour is extracted from the leaves:a pot of tea is allowed to draw
disembowel:after a mockery of a trial he was hanged, drawn, and quartered

5be the cause of (a specified response):he drew criticism for his lavish spending
attract (someone) to come to a place or an event:you really drew the crowds with your playing
induce (someone) to reveal or do something:he refused to be drawn on what would happen
direct or attract (someone’s attention) to something:it was an outrage and we had to draw people’s attention to it a bright red instantly draws the eye
reach (a conclusion) by deduction or inference from a set of circumstances:the moral to be drawn is that spending wins votes
formulate or perceive (a comparison or distinction):the law drew a clear distinction between innocent and fraudulent misrepresentation

6finish (a contest or game) with an even score: [with object and complement]:Brazil had drawn a stormy match 1-1 [no object, with complement]:they drew 0-0 in 1974

7 Bowls cause (a bowl) to travel in a curve determined by its bias to the desired point.
Golf hit (the ball) so that it deviates slightly, usually as a result of spin: he had to learn to draw the ball—not least for the tee shots at AugustaCompare with fade.

8(of a ship) require (a specified depth of water) to float in:boats that draw only a few inches of water

9 [no object] (of a sail) be filled with wind: as the sail drew, he put the helm over to circle back

noun

1an act of selecting names randomly to decide winners in a lottery, opponents in a sporting contest, etc.:the draw has been made for this year’s tournament

2an even score at the conclusion of a game or match:he scored twice to force a 4-4 draw
Cricket a game which is left incomplete for lack of time, regardless of the scores. Compare with tie.

3a person or thing that is very attractive or interesting:the museum has turned out to be a big draw for school children in the city

4an act of drawing on a cigarette: she took a long draw on her cigarette
[mass noun] British informal cannabis:they’re dropping Es and smoking draw

5an act of pulling a gun from its holster in order to shoot: he went for the quick draw and levelled a long-barrelled pistol at all of us

6 Golf a shot causing the ball to deviate slightly: most high handicappers would benefit from a controlled draw

Phrases

draw a bead on: see bead.
draw a blank: see blank.
draw blood: cause someone to bleed, especially in the course of a fight:the blow drew blood from the corner of his mouth
draw someone's fire: attract hostile criticism away from a more important target:the concession will go some way to draw the fire of the government’s critics
draw a line under: resolve not to engage in further discussion or consideration of (a difficult or distressing issue or situation):we need to draw a line under this whole affair, not prolong it
draw the line: set a limit on what one is willing to do or accept: Alex shared the domestic work but drew the line at laundry and mending
draw lots: see lot.
draw the short straw: see straw.
draw stumps: Cricket take the stumps out of the ground at close of play: I drew stumps swearing to myself I’d never umpire again
quick on the draw: very fast in taking one’s gun from its holster.; very fast in acting or reacting.

Phrasal Verbs

draw back: choose not to do something that one was expected to do:the government has drawn back from attempting reform
draw something down: reduce the size of a military force in an area:more had to be done before the US could begin to draw down its forces in any significant number we need to start letting them stand on their own feet, and that isn’t going to happen until we start drawing down; withdraw money from a fund or loan facility:I’m not actually going to be drawing down any of the loan until early 1999 she would have to draw down on her $253,000 investments at a rate of 7.2 per cent; withdraw water, oil, or gas from a reservoir or repository:the state began drawing down some of its stored water
draw in: (of successive days) become shorter because of the changing seasons.; (of a day) approach its end.; (of successive evenings or nights) start earlier because of the changing seasons:the nights were drawing in fast
draw on: (of a period of time) pass by and approach its end:he remembered sitting in silence with his grandmother as evening drew on
draw something on: put an item of clothing on:he drew on his dressing gown
draw out: (of successive days) become longer because of the changing seasons: she talked about the snowdrops and how the days were beginning to draw out
draw someone out: gently or subtly persuade someone to talk or become more expansive:she drew me out and flattered me
draw something out: make something last longer:the transition was long and drawn out
draw up: come to a halt:drivers drew up at the lights
draw something up: prepare a plan, agreement, or other document in detail:they instructed an attorney to draw up a sales agreement
draw oneself up: make oneself stand in a stiffly upright manner: Sarah drew herself up, full of indignation that he should presume to judge her

Origin:

Old English dragan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch dragen and German tragen, also to draught

On the confusion of draw and drawer, see drawer (usage).

draw in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of draw in the US English dictionary

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draw

verb (past drew /druː/; past participle drawn /drɔːn/)

noun

Phrases

draw a bead on

draw a blank

draw blood

draw someone's fire

draw a line under

draw the line

draw lots

draw the short straw

draw stumps

quick on the draw

Phrasal Verbs

draw back

draw something down

draw in

draw on

draw something on

draw out

draw someone out

draw something out

draw up

draw something up

draw oneself up

Origin:

draw in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for draw

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