English Profile

draw · verb

/drɔː/Full view

draw (PICTURE)

A1 I or T to make a picture of something or someone with a pencil or pen

Dictionary examples:

Jonathan can draw beautifully.

The children drew pictures of their families.

Draw a line at the bottom of the page.

Learner example:

You have to bring pencils and sheets of paper to draw on. (Key English Test; A2; French)

draw into/out/away, etc.

B2 to move in a particular direction, especially in a vehicle

Dictionary examples:

The train slowly drew into the station/drew in.

As we drew alongside the black car, I suddenly recognized my ex-boyfriend at the wheel.

Montgomery drew level with Greene in the 100 meters final, but never passed him.

Learner example:

I drew up at the gate of the house; the inside was in darkness and nobody seemed to be there. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)

draw (ATTRACT)

B2 T to attract someone to a place or person

Dictionary example:

He's an excellent speaker who always draws a crowd.

Learner example:

Finally, I am sure that opening a swimming pool again would help to draw people living in the nearest villages to our town. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

draw (sb's) attention to sth/sb

B2 to make someone notice something or someone

Dictionary examples:

Could I draw your attention to item number three on the agenda?

Does he wear those ridiculous clothes to draw attention to himself?

Learner example:

Thank you very much for drawing attention to this letter. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)

draw a conclusion

B2 to consider the facts of a situation and make a decision about what is true, correct, likely to happen, etc.

Dictionary example:

I'd seen them together so often I drew the logical conclusion that they were husband and wife.

Learner example:

Since nobody ever heard from them again, we all drew the sad conclusion that they must be dead. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

draw near/close

B2 to become nearer in space or time

Dictionary example:

Her birthday's drawing nearer every day.

Learner example:

After two seconds he heard a door opening and his mother drawing near. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

draw sth/sb across/back/over, etc.

C2 to pull something or someone gently in a particular direction

Dictionary example:

He took her hand and drew her toward her sister.

Learner example:

As she drew me into the house she would tell me a story about Dari's absence and [the] newly born puppies of Dari's, almost whispering into my ears as my eyes welled up with tears. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Korean)

draw to a close/end

C2 to be almost finished

Dictionary example:

At last the concert drew to a close.

Learner example:

As the dinner drew to an end, our weariness became all too clear. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

draw a comparison/distinction

C2 to say that there is a similarity or difference between two things

Dictionary example:

We need to draw a distinction between criticism and insults.

Learner example:

A country sh[ould] not be visited only to enable the tourist to draw a comparison between his country and the foreign one. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

draw the line (at sth)

C2 If someone says they know where to draw the line, they are talking about knowing at what point an activity or situation becomes unacceptable because it is wrong or too extreme

Dictionary example:

I’ll do what I can to help a friend, but I draw the line when someone asks me to lie for them.

Learner example:

For these parents, drawing the line at certain behaviors became a s[y]nonym for lack of democracy, and a source of struggle at home. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

draw on sth ()

C1 to use information or your knowledge or experience of something to help you do something

Dictionary example:

His novels draw heavily on his childhood.

Learner example:

This report looks at the changes in eating habits in Italy, drawing on personal experience, magazine and newspaper articles and interviews with local people of different ages. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Italian)

draw sth up or draw up sth ()

C1 to prepare something, usually a plan, list, or an official agreement, by writing it

Dictionary example:

She drew up a list of contestants.

Learner example:

Government bodies have drawn up plans to educate people and explain to them why it is so important to keep our planet safe and clean. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Romanian)