What is draw? Pronunciation and usage in English

draw means . Learn how to pronounce and use draw through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of draw

drawverb

/drɔː/
Definition & pronunciation of draw

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "draw" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is: draʊ

  • "dra" – This part sounds like the "dra" in "drain" or "drama." It's a short, open "a" sound.
  • "ow" – This part is a rounded vowel sound, like the "o" in "low" or "cow." It's a diphthong (a combination of two vowel sounds).

Here’s a breakdown of each sound:

  • "d" – Pronounced as a regular "d" sound, as in "dog."
  • "raʊ" – The sounds are crucial!
    • The “r” in "draw" is a tap or flap r, not a rolled “r” like in Spanish. It’s very light and quick – it touches the next vowel but doesn't vibrate. You can feel it by placing the tip of your tongue against the alveolar ridge (the bumpy part behind your upper teeth).
    • The “ow” sound (as in “cow”) is the key. Round your lips as if you’re saying "o," and then shape it slightly as if you're saying "oo."

Tips for getting it right:

  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken correctly. You can find examples on:
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/draw/ - This website lets you hear the word pronounced by people from various regions.
    • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce draw" on YouTube. You'll find many videos.
  • Practice slowly: Start by isolating the "draʊ" part and practicing that rhythm.
  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying “draw” and compare it to a native speaker’s pronunciation.

Common Mispronunciations:

  • "dra" + "aw": (like "draw" and then "aw" separately) – This is a very common mistake.
  • "draw" with a long "a": (like "draw" as in "draw a picture") – Don't use a long "a" sound.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you some more examples of words with similar sounds?
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Usage and examples with the word draw in English

Let's break down how to use the word "draw" in English! It's a surprisingly versatile word with quite a few different meanings. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Drawing (as in creating an image):

  • Definition: To make a picture or diagram by hand, usually with a pencil, pen, or crayon.
  • Examples:
    • "She likes to draw landscapes in her notebook."
    • "He spent hours drawing a detailed portrait."
    • "I draw with colored pencils to relax."
    • "Can you draw a map of the city?"

2. To Pull or Drag (Physical Movement):

  • Definition: To pull something towards you with a force. Often used with a stick, rope, or something similar.
  • Examples:
    • "He drew the wagon with a rope."
    • "The fisherman drew in his line."
    • "The sled drew easily down the hill."

3. To Attract or Influence (Figurative - Psychology/Social):

  • Definition: To attract or interest someone; to have a captivating effect. This is often about allure or appeal.
  • Examples:
    • "Her beauty draws crowds to the beach."
    • "The movie's special effects draw people in."
    • "His charisma draws people to him."
    • "What draws you to this job?" (What attracts you to this job?)

4. To Pull Up or Open (Often a Door or Window):

  • Definition: To pull something open or up.
  • Examples:
    • "Please draw the curtains." (Pull them up)
    • "He drew the blinds to block out the sunlight."
    • "She draw open the door." (Pull it open)

5. To Record or Record a Score (Sports/Games):

  • Definition: In sports like tennis, baseball, and soccer, to record the score of a game.
  • Examples:
    • "The umpire drew a strike." (In baseball)
    • "The referee drew a foul." (In soccer)
    • "The score was drawn to a 1-1 tie."

6. To Pull (Something Out):

  • Definition: To pull something out of a container or location.
  • Examples:
    • "He draw a piece of paper from the drawer."
    • "She draw a glass of water."

7. "To Draw" as a Verb Meaning "To Obtain" or "To Get" (Informal):

  • Definition: (Very common in British English) To get something, often money or attention.
  • Examples:
    • “He drew a good salary for his job.” (He earned)
    • "She drew a lot of attention when she walked in." (She attracted)

8. "To Draw" as a Verb Meaning "To Appeal To" (Psychology):

  • Definition: Similar to #3, but specifically relating to psychological motivations.
  • Examples:
    • "What draws you to this political party?" (What is the central appeal of the party?)

Tips for Using "Draw" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "draw" is almost always determined by the context of the sentence.
  • Synonyms: Think about synonyms to help you choose the best word:
    • Drawing: sketch, paint, illustrate
    • Pull: tug, drag, haul
    • Attract: entice, lure, appeal
    • Open: pull open, lift up

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of sentence are you trying to write? (e.g., describing an art project, talking about a sport, explaining a psychological concept)?

Synonyms for the word draw

Idioms of the word draw

at daggers drawn
(British English)if two people are at daggers drawn, they are very angry with each other
    the battle lines are drawn
    used to say that people or groups have shown which side they intend to support in an argument or contest that is going to begin
      draw/get a bead on somebody/something
      (especially North American English)to aim carefully at somebody/something before shooting a gun
      • One of the police officers drew a bead on the gunman and fired.
      draw a blank
      to get no response or result
      • So far, the police investigation has drawn a blank.
      draw blood
      to make somebody bleed
        draw breath
        to stop doing something and rest
        • She talks all the time and hardly stops to draw breath.
        • He spoke solidly for twenty minutes, barely pausing to draw breath.
        (literary)to live; to be alive
        • He was as kind a man as ever drew breath.
        draw somebody’s fire
        to make somebody direct their anger, criticism, etc. at you, so that others do not have to face it
          draw/pull your horns in
          to start being more careful in your behaviour, especially by spending less money than before
          • Small businesses have had to pull their horns in during the recession.
          draw the line (at something/at doing something)
          to refuse to do something; to set a limit
          • I don't mind helping, but I draw the line at doing everything myself.
          • We would have liked to invite all our relatives, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
          draw the line (between something and something)
          to make a difference between two closely related ideas
          • Where do you draw the line between genius and madness?
          draw a line under something
          (British English)to say that something is finished and not worth discussing any more
            draw/cast lots (for something/to do something)
            to use a method of choosing somebody/something that involves putting a number folded pieces of paper in a bag, one of them with a mark on it. People then take it in turns to take a piece of paper from the bag and the one who takes the paper with the mark on it is chosen.
            • They drew lots for the right to go first.
            draw the short straw
            to be the person in a group who is chosen or forced to perform an unpleasant duty or task
            • I drew the short straw and had to clean the toilets.
            draw straws (for something)
            to use a method of choosing somebody to do or have something in which each person takes a piece of paper, etc. from a container and the one whose paper has a special mark is chosen
            • We drew straws for who went first.
            draw yourself up/rise to your full height
            to stand straight and tall in order to show that you are determined, powerful or important
            • He drew himself up to his full height and glared at us.
            (draw) a line in the sand
            (to establish) a clear limit to what you will do or accept
            • It’s time to draw a line in the sand and stop allowing workplace bullying to continue.
            take/draw somebody to one side
            to speak to somebody in private, especially in order to warn or tell them about something

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