Pull
/pʊl/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo apply force to move something towards oneself or to exert a force that draws something closer.
/pʊl/
To exert force to move something towards oneself.
He pulled the heavy suitcase across the floor.
💡 Simply: Like when you're trying to get a toy closer to you - you pull it! You use your muscles to bring something towards your body. For example, you pull the door open when you want to go in.
👶 For kids: To use your muscles to bring something closer to you, like when you pull a toy.
More Examples
She pulled the blinds down to block out the sunlight.
The dog pulled on the leash, eager to go for a walk.
How It's Used
"She pulled the door open."
"He pulled the rope during the tug-of-war."
To extract or remove something from a particular location or state.
/pʊl/
To remove or extract something.
The mechanic pulled the engine apart to fix it.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, you have to take something away. You pull it out or off. For example, the dentist pulled out my tooth, which means the dentist removed my tooth.
👶 For kids: To take something out of a place or off of something.
More Examples
The doctor pulled the splinter from the child's finger.
She pulled a map out of her backpack.
How It's Used
"The dentist pulled the infected tooth."
"She pulled a book from the shelf."
To attract or bring someone or something towards a specific destination or result, often figuratively.
/pʊl/
To attract or draw (attention, etc.).
The scandal pulled a lot of attention to the politician.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, you want to get people's attention, like if you want to make them come to your party. In that case, you want to pull them to the party.
👶 For kids: To make something or someone come to you.
More Examples
The movie's intriguing trailer managed to pull people into the theater.
His charm and wit always pull a crowd.
How It's Used
"The new advertisement is designed to pull in customers."
"The speaker's charisma pulled the audience."
The act or process of exerting force to draw or move something towards oneself or to a specific direction.
/pʊl/
The act of pulling or the force used.
The horse had a strong pull on the cart.
💡 Simply: The act of using your muscles to bring something closer. Also, the influence or power that someone has. Like when you say 'He's got a lot of pull' which means he's a very influential person.
👶 For kids: The action of pulling something or how strong you pull.
More Examples
She needed a bit of pull to get her application approved.
The engine's pull was evident in its acceleration.
How It's Used
"The weightlifter's pull was impressive."
"It takes a lot of pull to get a good seat at the concert."
Synonyms
Drag
Draw
Heave
Extract
Attract
Entice
Lure
Force
Influence
Idioms & expressions
pull someone's leg
To tease or deceive someone playfully; to joke.
"She was just pulling your leg when she said she saw a ghost."
pull strings
To use one's influence to obtain a favor or advantage, often secretly.
"He had to pull strings to get his son into the private school."
pull over
To move a vehicle to the side of the road and stop.
"The police officer told him to pull over."
pull oneself together
To regain control of one's emotions or actions; to become calm and composed.
"After the shock, she took a deep breath and pulled herself together."
From Old English *pullian*, related to the Middle Dutch *pollen* ('to pull') and ultimately from Proto-Germanic *pullōną*.
The word has been used since Old English, with the basic meaning of exerting a force to move something.