Drawing

'drɔɪɪŋ

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonArt
4 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

4 meanings
1

A picture or diagram created using lines, typically with a pencil, pen, or charcoal.

'drɔɪɪŋ

nounneutralBeginner
Art

A picture or diagram made with a pencil, pen, or other instrument.

She spent hours working on a pencil drawing of her dog.

💡 Simply: It's like making a picture using a pencil or pen! You use lines and shapes to show what something looks like. Imagine you're sketching a cat.

👶 For kids: Making a picture with a pencil or crayon!

More Examples

2

The museum had a collection of famous drawings by Leonardo da Vinci.

3

The technical drawing showed the internal components of the machine.

How It's Used

Art

"The artist's drawing captured the beauty of the landscape."

Technical

"The architect presented the building plans as detailed drawings."

2

The process or skill of creating pictures by making lines on a surface.

'drɔɪɪŋ

nounneutralBeginner
Action

The act of making a drawing.

She finds drawing to be a relaxing hobby.

💡 Simply: It's the *activity* of making the picture! It’s all about how you use your pencil or pen to create the image.

👶 For kids: When you're making a picture!

More Examples

2

The students improved their drawing skills throughout the semester.

3

Drawing from life is a great way to hone your skills.

How It's Used

Art

"Drawing is a fundamental skill for any aspiring artist."

Education

"The art class focused on the basics of drawing."

Tip:Remember the action of 'drawing' a picture with your hand.
3

The act of selecting something by chance or a pre-arranged method, such as a lottery or the assignment of positions in a tournament.

'drɔɪɪŋ

nounneutralmedium
Selection

The selection by chance or rule of a person or team.

The drawing of lots determined who would go first.

💡 Simply: It's like picking names or teams in a game, maybe for a lottery or who plays first. It's all about chance.

👶 For kids: Picking a name or something out of a box!

More Examples

2

The team was excited to see who they would play in the drawing.

3

The prize drawing was the highlight of the event.

How It's Used

Sports

"The team awaited the drawing of the playoff brackets."

Games

"The lottery drawing was held at the local station."

Tip:Imagine picking names out of a hat; that's a 'drawing'.
4

The present participle of the verb 'draw'.

'drɔɪɪŋ

verb-gerundneutralBeginner
Action

The action of the verb 'draw'.

She is drawing in her sketchbook.

💡 Simply: The word as we see it used - 'She is drawing a cat', where drawing is what she's doing at the moment.

👶 For kids: When you're making a picture right now!

More Examples

2

He spends his afternoons drawing comic strips.

3

They're drawing a crowd with their performance.

How It's Used

General

"He is currently drawing a portrait."

Tip:The continuous action of the verb draw.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

back to the drawing board

To start something again from the beginning, because the previous attempt failed.

"The project didn't work out, so it's back to the drawing board."

in the draw

Chosen or included by drawing lots.

"Her team was in the draw for the semi-finals."

From Middle English *drawyng*, present participle of *drawen* (to draw), from Old English *dragan* (to draw, drag), from Proto-Germanic *draganą*.

Used since Old English in various forms, originally related to the action of pulling or dragging. Its artistic sense developed over time.

Memory tip

Think of a hand 'drawing' lines on paper to create a visual representation.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"to drag, pull"

pencil drawingcharcoal drawingtechnical drawingfigure drawingdetailed drawing

Common misspellings

drawringdrawwing

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written