Ask Difference

Drew vs. Draw — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 2, 2024
Drew is the past tense of draw, indicating a completed action, while draw can imply an ongoing process or a general ability.
Drew vs. Draw — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Drew and Draw

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Key Differences

Drew refers to the past action of producing an image, pulling, or moving something towards oneself. It marks a completed activity, such as "She drew a picture." On the other hand, draw describes the act of producing an image, pulling, or attracting in the present or as a general statement, like "Artists draw to express themselves."
While drew is used exclusively in past tense narratives, draw serves multiple purposes including the base form of the verb, present tense actions, and imperatives. For instance, "I will draw tomorrow."
Drew often conveys a sense of completion or finality in various contexts, such as games, contests, or artistic endeavors. Draw, however, can indicate an ongoing action, a capability, or a situation that is yet to be completed, such as "The game may draw to a close soon."
In specific contexts, drew can denote the conclusion of a process, such as in drawing a conclusion or finishing a drawing. Draw, conversely, might suggest the initiation or the process of doing something, like "To draw attention."
The use of drew and draw can significantly alter the tense and meaning of a sentence, reflecting the timing and nature of the action or capability being described.
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Comparison Chart

Tense

Past
Present, base form, imperative

Action

Indicates a completed action
Can indicate ongoing or potential action

Usage

In narratives or descriptions of past events
In present descriptions, instructions, or future plans

Context

Often used to denote a sense of completion
Suggests an ongoing process or ability

Example

"She drew a circle on the board."
"I draw a circle on the board every day."

Compare with Definitions

Drew

Past tense of draw.
She drew a horse on the paper.

Draw

To take out or extract.
He plans to draw money from the bank.

Drew

Derived or extracted.
They drew inspiration from nature.

Draw

To produce a picture or diagram.
Children love to draw animals.

Drew

Led to a conclusion.
The debate drew to an end.

Draw

To pull towards oneself.
Draw the chair closer to the table.

Drew

Attracted or pulled in.
The play drew a large audience.

Draw

To tie in a contest.
The game ended in a draw.

Drew

Concluded or moved towards.
He drew the meeting to a close.

Draw

To attract attention or interest.
The event will draw crowds.

Drew

Past tense of draw.

Draw

Produce (a picture or diagram) by making lines and marks on paper with a pencil, pen, etc.
He drew a map

Drew

Past participle of draw

Draw

Pull or drag (something such as a vehicle) so as to make it follow behind
A cart drawn by two horses

Drew

Of Draw.

Draw

Extract (an object) from a container or receptacle
He drew his gun and peered into the gloomy apartment

Drew

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

Draw

Take or obtain (liquid) from a container or receptacle
He drew off a pint of bitter
A wheel was built to draw water from the well

Draw

Select (a ticket or name) randomly to decide winners in a lottery, opponents in a sporting contest, etc.
She drew a ticket and announced the number but no one claimed it

Draw

Be the cause of (a specified response)
He drew criticism for his lavish spending

Draw

Select (a ticket or name) randomly to decide winners in a lottery, opponents in a sporting contest, etc.
She drew a ticket and announced the number but no one claimed it

Draw

Finish (a contest or game) with an even score
They drew 0–0 in 1974
Brazil had drawn a stormy match 1–1

Draw

(in bowls) cause (a bowl) to travel in a curve determined by its bias to the desired point.

Draw

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

Draw

(of a sail) be filled with wind
As the sail drew, he put the helm over to circle back

Draw

An 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

Draw

A game or contest that ends with the score even
He scored twice to force a 4–4 draw

Draw

A 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

Draw

An act of drawing on a cigarette or cigar
She took a long draw on her cigarette

Draw

An 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

Draw

A shot causing the ball to deviate slightly
Most high handicappers would benefit from a controlled draw

Draw

To cause to move after or toward one by applying continuous force; drag
Drew the chair closer to the table.
A team of horses drawing a wagon.

Draw

To cause to move in a given direction or to a given position, as by leading
The teacher drew the children into the room to see the decorations.

Draw

To move or pull so as to cover or uncover something
Draw the curtains.

Draw

To suck or take in (air, for example); inhale.

Draw

To require (a specified depth of water) for floating
A boat drawing 18 inches.

Draw

To take or pull out
Drew a gun from beneath the counter.
Drew out a fat wallet.

Draw

To extract or take for one's own use
Draw strength from one's friends.

Draw

To make (tea) by steeping.

Draw

To eviscerate; disembowel
A traitor to the king who was drawn and quartered.

Draw

To cause to come by attracting; attract
Afraid the casino will draw undesirable elements to the town.

Draw

To select or take in from a given group, type, or region
Draw clients from all levels of society.

Draw

To bring to a certain condition or action; lead
Drawn to despair.
Drew them to resign.

Draw

To bring about deliberately; provoke
Draw enemy fire.
Draw a penalty on an opponent.

Draw

To evoke as a response; elicit
A performance that drew jeers from the audience.

Draw

To earn; gain
Deposits that draw interest at a rate of 5 percent.

Draw

To withdraw (money).

Draw

To use (a check, for example) when paying.

Draw

To receive on a regular basis or at a specified time
Draw a pension.

Draw

To take or receive by chance
Draw lots.

Draw

To take (cards) from a dealer or central stack.

Draw

To force (a card) to be played.

Draw

To end or leave (a contest) tied or undecided.

Draw

To hit or strike (a billiard ball, for example) so as to give it backspin.

Draw

To hit (a golf ball) with a draw.

Draw

To make tense or taut
Drew the rope across the ravine.

Draw

To pull back the string of (a bow).

Draw

To distort the shape of
He drew his face into a scowl.

Draw

To flatten, stretch, or mold (metal) by hammering or die stamping.

Draw

To shape or elongate (a wire, for example) by pulling through dies.

Draw

To inscribe (a line or lines) with a pencil or other marking implement.

Draw

To make a likeness of on a surface, using mostly lines; depict with lines
Drew a map of the area.
Drawing landscapes and still lifes.

Draw

To portray in writing or speech; depict with words
Draws moving scenes of ghetto life.

Draw

To formulate or devise from evidence or data at hand
Draw a comparison.

Draw

To compose or write out in legal format
Draw a deed.

Draw

To proceed or move steadily
A ship drawing near the shore.

Draw

To attract customers or spectators
The new play is drawing well.

Draw

To pour forth liquid
The patient's veins don't draw easily.

Draw

To cause suppuration.

Draw

To take in a draft of air
The flue isn't drawing.

Draw

To steep in or as if in the manner of tea.

Draw

To pull out a weapon for use.

Draw

To use or call upon part of a fund or supply
Drawing on an account.
Drew from the experience of fellow workers.

Draw

To contract or tighten
Material that draws when it dries.

Draw

To conclude a contest without either side winning; tie
The chess players drew in 32 moves.

Draw

To make a likeness with lines on a surface; sketch.

Draw

An act of drawing.

Draw

The result of drawing.

Draw

Something drawn, especially a lot, card, or cards drawn at random.

Draw

The arrangement of competitors in a tournament in which the matchups are made at random.

Draw

A matchup or opponent in such a tournament.

Draw

An inhalation, especially through a pipe or other smoking implement.

Draw

One that attracts interest, customers, or spectators
A singer who is a popular draw.

Draw

The movable part of a drawbridge.

Draw

A special advantage; an edge
Have the draw on one's enemies.

Draw

A contest ending without either side winning.

Draw

A small natural depression that water drains into; a shallow gully.

Draw

(Football) A play in which the quarterback drops back as if to pass and then runs or hands off to a running back.

Draw

(Sports) A face-off.

Draw

(Games) A draw shot.

Draw

(Sports) A moderate, usually controlled hook in golf.

Draw

To move or develop something.

Draw

To sketch; depict with lines; to produce a picture with pencil, crayon, chalk, etc. on paper, cardboard, etc.

Draw

To deduce or infer.
He tried to draw a conclusion from the facts.

Draw

To steep, leave temporarily so as to allow the flavour to increase.
Tea is much nicer if you let it draw for more than two minutes before pouring.

Draw

(transitive) To take or procure from a place of deposit; to call for and receive from a fund, etc.
To draw money from a bank

Draw

To take into the lungs; to inhale.

Draw

(used with prepositions and adverbs) To move; to come or go.
We drew back from the cliff edge.
The runners drew level with each other as they approached the finish line.
Draw near to the fire and I will tell you a tale.

Draw

To approach, come to, or arrive at a point in time or a process.
The end of the world draws near.

Draw

(transitive) To obtain from some cause or origin; to infer from evidence or reasons; to deduce from premises; to derive.

Draw

To withdraw.

Draw

(archaic) To draw up (a document).
To draw a memorial, a deed, or bill of exchange

Draw

To exert or experience force.

Draw

(transitive) To drag, pull.

Draw

(intransitive) To pull; to exert strength in drawing anything; to have force to move anything by pulling.
This horse draws well.
A ship's sail is said to draw when it is filled with wind.

Draw

To pull out, unsheathe (as a gun from a holster, or a tooth).
They drew their swords and fought each other.

Draw

To undergo the action of pulling or dragging.
The carriage draws easily.

Draw

(archery) To pull back the bowstring and its arrow in preparation for shooting.

Draw

(of curtains, etc.) To close.
You should draw the curtains at night.

Draw

(of curtains, etc.) To open.
She drew the curtains to let in the sunlight.

Draw

(cards) To take the top card of a deck into hand.
At the start of their turn, each player must draw a card.

Draw

(fluidic) To remove or separate or displace.

Draw

To drain by emptying; to suck dry.

Draw

(figurative) To extract; to force out; to elicit; to derive.

Draw

To sink in water; to require a depth for floating.
A ship draws ten feet of water.

Draw

To work as an epispastic; said of a blister, poultice, etc.

Draw

(intransitive) To have a draught; to transmit smoke, gases, etc.
The chimney won't draw properly if it's clogged up with soot.

Draw

(analogous) To consume, for example, power.
The circuit draws three hundred watts.

Draw

To change in size or shape.

Draw

To extend in length; to lengthen; to protract; to stretch.
To draw a mass of metal into wire

Draw

(intransitive) To become contracted; to shrink.

Draw

To attract or be attracted.

Draw

To attract.
The citizens were afraid the casino would draw an undesirable element to their town.
I was drawn to her.

Draw

To induce (a reticent person) to speak.
He refused to be drawn on the subject

Draw

(hunting) To search for game.

Draw

To cause.

Draw

(intransitive) To exert an attractive force; (figurative) to act as an inducement or enticement.

Draw

(usually as draw on or draw upon) To rely on; utilize as a source.
She had to draw upon her experience to solve the problem.

Draw

To disembowel.

Draw

To end a game in a draw (with neither side winning).
We drew last time we played.
I drew him last time I played him.
I drew my last game against him.

Draw

To choose by means of a random selection process.

Draw

To select by the drawing of lots.
The winning lottery numbers were drawn every Tuesday.

Draw

(transitive) To win in a lottery or similar game of chance.
He drew a prize.

Draw

(poker) To trade in cards for replacements in draw poker games; to attempt to improve one's hand with future cards. See also draw out.
Jill has four diamonds; she'll try to draw for a flush.

Draw

(curling) To make a shot that lands gently in the house (the circular target) without knocking out other stones.

Draw

(cricket) To play (a short-length ball directed at the leg stump) with an inclined bat so as to deflect the ball between the legs and the wicket.

Draw

(golf) To hit (the ball) with the toe of the club so that it is deflected toward the left.

Draw

(billiards) To strike (the cue ball) below the center so as to give it a backward rotation which causes it to take a backward direction on striking another ball.

Draw

The result of a contest that neither side has won; a tie.
The game ended in a draw.

Draw

The procedure by which the result of a lottery is determined.
The draw is on Saturday.

Draw

Something that attracts e.g. a crowd.

Draw

The act of drawing.
The Wild West's quick-draw champion

Draw

(cricket) The result of a two-innings match in which at least one side did not complete all their innings before time ran out (as distinguished from a tie).

Draw

(golf) A golf shot that (for the right-handed player) curves intentionally to the left. See hook, slice, fade.

Draw

(curling) A shot that is intended to land gently in the house (the circular target) without knocking out other stones; cf. takeout.

Draw

(geography) A dry stream bed that drains surface water only during periods of heavy rain or flooding.

Draw

A bag of cannabis.

Draw

Cannabis.

Draw

In a commission-based job, an advance on future (potential) commissions given to an employee by the employer.

Draw

(poker) A situation in which one or more players has four cards of the same suit or four out of five necessary cards for a straight and requires a further card to make their flush or straight.

Draw

(archery) The act of pulling back the strings in preparation of firing.

Draw

(sports) The spin or twist imparted to a ball etc. by a drawing stroke.

Draw

Draft in the sense of the flow through a flue of gasses (smoke) resulting from a combustion process, possibly adjustable with a damper.

Draw

To cause to move continuously by force applied in advance of the thing moved; to pull along; to haul; to drag; to cause to follow.
He cast him down to ground, and all alongDrew him through dirt and mire without remorse.
He hastened to draw the stranger into a private room.
Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
The arrow is now drawn to the head.

Draw

To influence to move or tend toward one's self; to exercise an attracting force upon; to call towards itself; to attract; hence, to entice; to allure; to induce.
The poetDid feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods.
All eyes you draw, and with the eyes the heart.

Draw

To pull from a sheath, as a sword.
I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

Draw

To extract; to force out; to elicit; to derive.
Spirits, by distillations, may be drawn out of vegetable juices, which shall flame and fume of themselves.
Until you had drawn oaths from him.

Draw

To extract the bowels of; to eviscerate; as, to draw a fowl; to hang, draw, and quarter a criminal.
In private draw your poultry, clean your tripe.

Draw

To take into the lungs; to inhale; to inspire; hence, also, to utter or produce by an inhalation; to heave.
Drew, or seemed to draw, a dying groan.

Draw

To obtain from some cause or origin; to infer from evidence or reasons; to deduce from premises; to derive.
We do not draw the moral lessons we might from history.

Draw

To extend in length; to lengthen; to protract; to stretch; to extend, as a mass of metal into wire.
How long her face is drawn!
And the huge Offa's dike which he drew from the mouth of Wye to that of Dee.

Draw

To take or procure from a place of deposit; to call for and receive from a fund, or the like; as, to draw money from a bank.
Provided magistracies were filled by men freely chosen or drawn.

Draw

To run, extend, or produce, as a line on any surface; hence, also, to form by marking; to make by an instrument of delineation; to produce, as a sketch, figure, or picture.

Draw

To represent by lines drawn; to form a sketch or a picture of; to represent by a picture; to delineate; hence, to represent by words; to depict; to describe.
A flattering painter who made it his careTo draw men as they ought to be, not as they are.
Can I, untouched, the fair one's passions move,Or thou draw beauty and not feel its power?

Draw

To write in due form; to prepare a draught of; as, to draw a memorial, a deed, or bill of exchange.
Clerk, draw a deed of gift.

Draw

To require (so great a depth, as of water) for floating; - said of a vessel; to sink so deep in (water); as, a ship draws ten feet of water.

Draw

To withdraw.
Go wash thy face, and draw the action.

Draw

To trace by scent; to track; - a hunting term.

Draw

To play (a short-length ball directed at the leg stump) with an inclined bat so as to deflect the ball between the legs and the wicket.

Draw

To leave (a contest) undecided; as, the battle or game was drawn.

Draw

To pull; to exert strength in drawing anything; to have force to move anything by pulling; as, a horse draws well; the sails of a ship draw well.

Draw

To draw a liquid from some receptacle, as water from a well.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep.

Draw

To exert an attractive force; to act as an inducement or enticement.
Keep a watch upon the particular bias of their minds, that it may not draw too much.

Draw

To have efficiency as an epispastic; to act as a sinapism; - said of a blister, poultice, etc.

Draw

To have draught, as a chimney, flue, or the like; to furnish transmission to smoke, gases, etc.

Draw

To unsheathe a weapon, especially a sword.
So soon as ever thou seest him, draw; and as thou drawest, swear horrible.

Draw

To perform the act, or practice the art, of delineation; to sketch; to form figures or pictures.

Draw

To become contracted; to shrink.

Draw

To move; to come or go; literally, to draw one's self; - with prepositions and adverbs; as, to draw away, to move off, esp. in racing, to get in front; to obtain the lead or increase it; to draw back, to retreat; to draw level, to move up even (with another); to come up to or overtake another; to draw off, to retire or retreat; to draw on, to advance; to draw up, to form in array; to draw near, draw nigh, or draw towards, to approach; to draw together, to come together, to collect.

Draw

To make a draft or written demand for payment of money deposited or due; - usually with on or upon.
You may draw on me for the expenses of your journey.

Draw

To admit the action of pulling or dragging; to undergo draught; as, a carriage draws easily.

Draw

To sink in water; to require a depth for floating.

Draw

The act of drawing; draught.

Draw

A lot or chance to be drawn.

Draw

The act of drawing a lot or chance.

Draw

A drawn game or battle, etc; a tied game; a tie.

Draw

That part of a bridge which may be raised, swung round, or drawn aside; the movable part of a drawbridge. See the Note under Drawbridge.

Draw

The result of drawing, or state of being drawn;

Draw

That which is drawn or is subject to drawing.

Draw

A gully that is shallower than a ravine

Draw

An entertainer who attracts large audiences;
He was the biggest drawing card they had

Draw

The finish of a contest in which the score is tied and the winner is undecided;
The game ended in a draw
Their record was 3 wins, 6 losses and a tie

Draw

Anything (straws or pebbles etc.) taken or chosen at random;
The luck of the draw
They drew lots for it

Draw

A playing card or cards dealt or taken from the pack;
He got a pair of kings in the draw

Draw

A golf shot that curves to the left for a right-handed golfer;
He tooks lessons to cure his hooking

Draw

(American football) the quarterback moves back as if to pass and then hands the ball to the fullback who is running toward the line of scrimmage

Draw

Poker in which a player can discard cards and receive substitutes from the dealer;
He played only draw and stud

Draw

The act of drawing or hauling something;
The haul up the hill went very slowly

Draw

Cause to move along the ground by pulling;
Draw a wagon
Pull a sled

Draw

Get or derive;
He drew great benefits from his membership in the association

Draw

Make a mark or lines on a surface;
Draw a line
Trace the outline of a figure in the sand

Draw

Make, formulate, or derive in the mind;
I draw a line here
Draw a conclusion
Draw parallels
Make an estimate
What do you make of his remarks?

Draw

Bring, take, or pull out of a container or from under a cover;
Draw a weapon
Pull out a gun
The mugger pulled a knife on his victim

Draw

Represent by making a drawing of, as with a pencil, chalk, etc. on a surface;
She drew an elephant
Draw me a horse

Draw

Take liquid out of a container or well;
She drew water from the barrel

Draw

Give a description of;
He drew an elaborate plan of attack

Draw

Select or take in from a given group or region;
The participants in the experiment were drawn from a representative population

Draw

Elicit responses, such as objections, criticism, applause, etc.;
The President's comments drew sharp criticism from the Republicans
The comedian drew a lot of laughter

Draw

Suck in or take (air);
Draw a deep breath
Draw on a cigarette

Draw

Move or go steadily or gradually;
The ship drew near the shore

Draw

Remove (a commodity) from (a supply source);
She drew $2,000 from the account
The doctors drew medical supplies from the hospital's emergency bank

Draw

Choose at random;
Draw a card
Cast lots

Draw

In baseball: earn or achieve a base by being walked by the pitcher;
He drew a base on balls

Draw

Bring or lead someone to a certain action or condition;
She was drawn to despair
The President refused to be drawn into delivering an ultimatum
The session was drawn to a close

Draw

Write a legal document or paper;
The deed was drawn in the lawyer's office

Draw

Engage in drawing;
He spent the day drawing in the garden

Draw

Move or pull so as to cover or uncover something;
Draw the shades
Draw the curtains

Draw

Allow a draft;
This chimney draws very well

Draw

Require a specified depth for floating;
This boat draws 70 inches

Draw

Pull (a person) apart with four horses tied to his extremities, so as to execute him;
In the old days, people were drawn and quartered for certain crimes

Draw

Take in, also metaphorically;
The sponge absorbs water well
She drew strength from the minister's words

Draw

Direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes;
Her good looks attract the stares of many men
The ad pulled in many potential customers
This pianist pulls huge crowds
The store owner was happy that the ad drew in many new customers

Draw

Thread on or as if on a string;
String pearls on a string
The child drew glass beads on a string
Thread dried cranberries

Draw

Pull back the sling of (a bow);
The archers were drawing their bows

Draw

Guide or pass over something;
He ran his eyes over her body
She ran her fingers along the carved figurine
He drew her hair through his fingers

Draw

Finish a game with an equal number of points, goals, etc.;
The teams drew a tie

Draw

Contract;
The material drew after it was washed in hot water

Draw

Reduce the diameter of (a wire or metal rod) by pulling it through a die;
Draw wire

Draw

Steep; pass through a strainer;
Draw pulp from the fruit

Draw

Remove the entrails of;
Draw a chicken

Draw

Flatten, stretch, or mold metal or glass, by rolling or by pulling it through a die or by stretching;
Draw steel

Common Curiosities

Is drew only used for artistic contexts?

No, drew can also be used in contexts like attracting attention, concluding meetings, or moving things towards oneself.

Can draw be used to refer to future actions?

Yes, draw can indicate future actions when used with will or is going to, e.g., "She will draw a portrait tomorrow."

What is the main difference between drew and draw?

Drew is the past tense of draw, indicating a completed action, while draw refers to the present or general ability to do something.

Is it correct to say "He drew to win the match"?

It would be more accurate to say "He drew the match" if it ended in a tie, or "He drew on his skills to win the match" for clarity.

What does it mean to draw a conclusion?

To draw a conclusion means to arrive at a judgment or decision based on the information available.

How does one know when to use draw or drew?

The choice depends on the tense you're conveying; use drew for past actions and draw for present or future actions.

Can draw be used in a competitive context?

Yes, draw can refer to a tie in a game or competition, as well as the act of selecting opponents or teams randomly.

How does context change the meaning of draw and drew?

The context determines whether the action is completed (drew) or ongoing/potential (draw), impacting the interpretation of the sentence.

Can both draw and drew be used in the same sentence?

Yes, but they would refer to actions at different times, e.g., "Yesterday, she drew a cat, and today, she will draw a dog."

Can draw be used as a noun?

Yes, draw can also be a noun, referring to a tie in a contest or something that attracts people, e.g., "The game was a draw."

Is drew always related to physical actions?

No, drew can also refer to abstract actions like attracting interest or concluding discussions.

Can draw be used in a financial context?

Yes, draw can refer to withdrawing money from a bank or fund.

What does "draw interest" mean?

To draw interest means to attract attention or curiosity from others.

What is the imperative form of draw?

The imperative form is "draw," used in commands or requests, e.g., "Please draw a circle."

How does the meaning of draw change in sports?

In sports, draw can refer to a game that ends without a winner or the process of determining opponents.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Maham Liaqat
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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