Quick Definition
Draw (verb) — to make a picture or diagram using a pen, pencil, or similar tool; to pull or move something in a direction; to attract or bring in.
Draw (noun) — a result in which neither side wins; something that attracts people or attention.
Etymology of Draw
Draw comes from the Old English verb dragan, meaning to pull, drag, or carry, which itself traces back to the Proto-Germanic root *dragan. The same root gives us modern English drag and is related to German tragen (to carry) and Swedish dra (to pull).
The meaning “to make a picture” developed from the physical idea of dragging or pulling a writing implement across a surface, and is recorded in English from around the 13th century. By the 16th century the word had extended further to describe attracting attention or pulling a crowd, giving rise to expressions such as draw a salary and draw a conclusion.
The sporting sense — a tied result in which neither side wins — emerged in British English during the 19th century, particularly in the context of cricket, boxing, and later association football.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & usage note |
|---|---|
| She drew a map to show me the way. | A2 — draw + object (making a picture) |
| Can you draw a picture of your house for the class? | A2 — draw used as a classroom instruction |
| The match ended in a draw, with both teams scoring twice. | B1 — draw as a noun (tied result) |
| The exhibition drew thousands of visitors from across the country. | B2 — draw meaning to attract a large number |
| It would be premature to draw any firm conclusions from such limited data. | C1 — draw a conclusion; formal academic register |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| draw a picture | The child drew a picture of her family. |
| draw a map | He drew a quick map on a piece of paper. |
| draw a conclusion | We cannot draw any conclusions without more evidence. |
| draw attention | The brightly coloured poster drew everyone's attention. |
| draw a crowd | The street performer drew a large crowd within minutes. |
| draw the curtains | She drew the curtains to block out the morning light. |
| draw a salary | He draws a modest salary as a volunteer coordinator. |
| draw on experience | The therapist drew on twenty years of experience. |
| draw to a close | As the evening drew to a close, guests began to leave. |
| draw a blank | I tried to remember her name but drew a complete blank. |
Usage Notes
- Irregular verb: the past simple is drew and the past participle is drawn. Do not say drawed — this is a very common error among learners.
- Draw vs drag: both share the same root meaning “to pull”, but drag implies heavier, slower, or more effortful pulling, often along a surface. Draw is more neutral and frequently figurative.
- British English sports usage: in British English a draw is the standard term for a tied result in football, cricket, or chess. American English tends to prefer tie.
- Phrasal verbs: draw combines with several particles to form common phrasal verbs: draw up (prepare a document), draw out (extend or encourage someone to speak), draw back (retreat or hesitate), and draw on (use as a resource).
- Figurative uses: many collocations with draw are entirely figurative — draw a conclusion, draw a comparison, draw a distinction — and these are especially common in academic and professional writing.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
Yesterday she drawed a portrait of her sister.
Yesterday she drew a portrait of her sister. (drew is the correct past simple)
The game was a tie. (British context)
The game was a draw. (preferred in British English for tied sport results)
He draw the curtains when he arrived.
He drew the curtains when he arrived. (past simple requires drew, not the base form)
Related Words
Practise This Word
More Common Words
Frequently Asked Questions about “draw”
What does draw mean in English?
Draw has several meanings. As a verb it most commonly means to make a picture or diagram using a pen, pencil, or similar tool: ‘She drew a portrait of her mother.’ It also means to pull something towards you or move it in a direction: ‘Draw the curtains.’ As a noun, a draw is a result in which neither competitor wins — common in football and chess.
What is the past tense of draw?
The past tense of draw is drew (irregular): ‘He drew a map on the back of the envelope.’ The past participle is drawn: ‘The curtains had been drawn since morning.’ Both forms are irregular, so learners need to memorise them rather than simply adding -ed.
What is the difference between draw and pull?
Both draw and pull describe moving something towards you, but draw is often more formal or figurative. You pull a rope, but you draw a crowd or draw a salary. Draw also implies a slower, more deliberate movement in many contexts, whereas pull suggests more physical force.
How do you use draw in a sentence?
Draw can be used as a verb followed by an object (‘draw a picture’, ‘draw a conclusion’) or intransitively (‘She loves to draw’). As a noun it appears in phrases like ‘the match ended in a draw’ or ‘the luck of the draw’. Make sure to use the correct past forms: drew (past simple) and drawn (past participle).
What does ‘draw a conclusion’ mean?
‘Draw a conclusion’ is a fixed phrase meaning to reach a decision or judgement based on evidence: ‘From the data, we can draw the conclusion that sales are rising.’ It is common in academic and professional English. The phrase uses draw in its figurative sense of bringing something out or arriving at something.
What is the difference between draw and sketch?
Both draw and sketch refer to making pictures without paint, but sketch suggests something quick, rough, or preliminary. You sketch an idea before you draw a finished diagram. Draw is more general and can refer to any kind of line-based image-making, from a child’s doodle to a technical architectural plan.
Can draw be used as a noun?
Yes. Draw as a noun has several uses: a tied result (‘The match ended in a draw’), an attraction (‘The waterfall is the town’s biggest draw’), or a random selection (‘It was decided by a draw’). British English also uses draw for a raffle or lottery selection, as in ‘the prize draw’.
What does ‘draw on’ mean?
‘Draw on’ is a phrasal verb meaning to use something as a resource or source of support: ‘She drew on her years of experience to solve the problem.’ It can also mean to take a puff from a cigarette. The phrase is common in formal and academic contexts when discussing skills, knowledge, or memories used to achieve something.
What is the origin of the word draw?
Draw comes from the Old English verb dragan, meaning to pull, drag, or carry. It is related to German tragen (to carry) and traces back to the Proto-Germanic root *dragan. The meaning ‘to make a picture’ developed from the idea of dragging or pulling a pen or pencil across a surface, and is recorded in English from around the 13th century.
How can I practise the word draw in English?
Use LexFizz’s Complete the Sentence exercise to practise draw in context, focusing on its different meanings and collocations. The Flash Cards tool covers draw and related forms (drew, drawn, drawing). Try writing three sentences — one for each main meaning: making a picture, pulling, and a tied result — to help all three senses stick in your memory.