Pulled
pʊld
Definitions
4 meaningsTo use force to move something or someone towards you, or to remove something.
pʊld
To exert force so as to move something towards oneself or the source of force.
She pulled the chair closer to the table.
💡 Simply: Like when you're trying to get your cat to come closer to you, you might *pull* it gently toward you. Or like when you open a drawer by pulling on the handle. It's all about using your strength!
👶 For kids: To use your hands (or something else) to move something closer to you.
More Examples
The children were pulling the sled through the snow.
He pulled the information from the website.
How It's Used
"He pulled the door open."
"The athlete pulled a muscle during the race."
To remove a weapon from its covering, typically with the intention of using it.
pʊld
To draw (a weapon) from its sheath or holster.
He pulled his sword and challenged the knight.
💡 Simply: Like in a movie when someone quickly takes their gun out to be ready to fight.
👶 For kids: To take something out, like a toy sword.
More Examples
The officer pulled out his badge.
How It's Used
"He pulled his gun and aimed at the bandit."
To attract or draw in an audience or attention.
pʊld
To attract or cause something to be considered or noticed.
The new movie trailer pulled a large crowd to the cinema.
💡 Simply: When something catches people's eyes and makes them want to know more. Like if you had a really cool toy, it would *pull* people's interest towards you.
👶 For kids: To get attention or make someone want to look.
More Examples
The comedian's joke pulled a laugh from the audience.
How It's Used
"The advertisement pulled a lot of attention."
To extract or remove something from a place.
pʊld
To take out or remove something from a place.
The mechanic pulled the engine apart for repairs.
💡 Simply: Like when you are taking something out of somewhere. Maybe you *pull* a shirt out of your closet or the dentist *pulls* your tooth.
👶 For kids: To take something out.
More Examples
The doctor pulled the splinter out of his finger.
How It's Used
"The dentist pulled the infected tooth."
"He pulled a book from the shelf."
Synonyms
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 up
To stop a vehicle or move a vehicle closer to something.
"The taxi pulled up to the curb."
From Middle English pullen, from Old English pullian ('to pull, pluck, tear'), from Proto-Germanic *pullōną ('to pull').
Historically, 'pulled' has been used since Old English and is a fundamental action word across centuries of literature and everyday speech.
Memory tip
Imagine you're pulling a rope – you're using force to bring it closer.