Drained

dreɪnd

verbBeginnerCommonGeneral

Definitions

4 meanings
1

To remove liquid from something.

dreɪnd

verbneutralBeginner
General

To empty or cause to empty of liquid.

The plumber drained the pipes before repairing them.

💡 Simply: Imagine your bathtub after a bath. When you pull the plug, you *drain* the water out. It's the same idea for anything liquid!

👶 For kids: To take out the water from something, like emptying a bathtub.

More Examples

2

We drained the pool for the winter.

3

The doctor drained the abscess.

4

The city officials decided to drain the swamp to build a new mall.

How It's Used

Engineering

"Engineers drained the swamp to build the new highway."

Agriculture

"Farmers drain the fields after heavy rainfall to prevent waterlogging."

2

To exhaust someone's energy, strength, or resources.

dreɪnd

verbnegativemedium
General

To cause someone to lose strength or energy.

The long meeting drained my patience.

💡 Simply: Think of a long day at school or work. By the end, you might feel like you've been *drained* of all your energy, just like a phone battery that's almost dead.

👶 For kids: To make someone or something feel tired and weak, like when your toy runs out of batteries.

More Examples

2

The illness had drained his strength.

3

Her negativity drains the energy of everyone around her.

4

The project completely drained our resources.

How It's Used

Psychology

"The constant demands of her job drained her emotionally."

Health

"The long marathon drained his physical energy."

Tip:Imagine a battery losing power - it is drained.
3

Having had liquid removed; emptied.

dreɪnd

adjectiveneutralBeginner
General

Having had the liquid removed or caused to be removed.

The drained land was perfect for building houses.

💡 Simply: Imagine a sponge after you squeeze the water out - it's *drained*. This adjective describes something that has had its liquid taken away.

👶 For kids: Something that has had the water taken out, like a squeezed-out sponge.

More Examples

2

The pool was drained for cleaning.

3

A drained battery needs to be recharged.

4

The patient's wound was successfully drained.

How It's Used

Environment

"The drained marshland was now suitable for agriculture."

Medical

"The doctor checked the drained wound for any remaining infection."

Tip:Think of a field where the water is gone, it's drained.
4

Exhausted of energy or vitality.

dreɪnd

adjectivenegativemedium
General

She felt emotionally drained after the argument.

💡 Simply: Imagine feeling super tired after a long day of playing, studying, or working hard. That's what it feels like to be *drained* – like all your energy has run out!

👶 For kids: Feeling very, very tired, like you have no energy left.

More Examples

2

He was physically drained after the marathon.

3

I'm completely drained after that long meeting.

4

The constant stress of her job left her feeling drained.

How It's Used

Psychology

"She felt completely drained after the difficult interview."

Health

"After the illness, he was left feeling drained and weak."

Tip:Think of a battery that is out of energy. It is drained.

Idioms & expressions

drained of blood

Pale and weak from loss of blood, or feeling extremely weak.

"The patient looked drained of blood after the surgery."

drain the life out of someone

To take away someone's energy, enthusiasm, or happiness.

"The negative environment at work was draining the life out of him."

From Middle English *draynen*, from Old English *drēahnian* (“to drain, draw off”), from Proto-Germanic *dragananą* (“to draw, drag”).

The verb 'drain' has been used since the 13th century, evolving from a more general sense of 'removing or drawing' to its modern specific meanings.

Memory tip

Think of removing water from a pool - you're draining it.

drainneddraine

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written