draft
verb · noun · adjective
Simple meaning
To write a first version, make a preliminary sketch.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
draftIPA pronunciation (US)
dɹæft
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
verb
To write a first version, make a preliminary sketch.
To draw out; to call forth.
To draw fibers out of a clump, for spinning in the production of yarn.
To draw in outline; to make a draught, sketch, or plan of, as in architectural and mechanical drawing.
To select a rookie player onto a professional sports team.
“After his last year of college football, he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins.”
To select someone (or something) for a particular role or purpose.
“There was a campaign to draft Smith to run for President.”
noun
Universal spelling
An early version of a written work (such as a book or e-mail) or drawing.
“His first drafts were better than most authors' final products.”
Universal spelling
A preliminary sketch or outline for a plan.
American spelling
Beer drawn from a cask or keg rather than a bottle or can.
American spelling
The quantity of liquid (such as water, alcohol, or medicine) drunk in one swallow.
American spelling
A dose (of medicine, alcohol, etc.)
Universal spelling
A system of forcing or convincing people to take an elected position.
adjective
Referring to animals used for pulling heavy loads.
“A Clydesdale is a draft horse.”
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- A2 · Elementary
- Frequency
- Common
- Typical Use
- Everyday English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: To write a first version, make a preliminary sketch.
Used this way, draft is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- No strong connotation
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Nearby words
- draught , used mainly in Regional English
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
How It’s Used
The word’s distinct uses, one example each.
Selectverb
“After his last year of college football, he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins.”
Earlynoun
“His first drafts were better than most authors' final products.”
Referringadjective
“A Clydesdale is a draft horse.”
More ways to use draft
- “I need to write a first draft of my essay tonight.”verb
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
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Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Inflected forms
Grammatical variations of the same word.
Writing a first version to be filled out and polished later.
A writer of a draft.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
Horse adapted for drawing heavy loads.
Any of the various versions in the development of a written work.
A board to select personnel for involuntary military service.
A smooth board on which paper is placed for making drawings.
An instrument used by a draftsman in making drawings.
A worktable with adjustable top.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Synonyms
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API (CC BY-SA 3.0). Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.