drawing

American  

[draw-ing] / ˈdrɔ ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that draws.

2. a graphic representation by lines of an object or idea, as with a pencil; a delineation of form without reference to color.

3. a sketch, plan, or design, especially one made with pen, pencil, or crayon.

4. the art or technique of making these.

5. something decided by drawing lots; lottery.

6. the selection, or time of selection, of the winning chance or chances sold by lottery or raffle.

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drawing British  

/ ˈdrɔːɪŋ /

noun

1. a picture or plan made by means of lines on a surface, esp one made with a pencil or pen without the use of colour

2. a sketch, plan, or outline

3. the art of making drawings; draughtsmanship

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Other Word Forms

• self-drawing
  noun

Etymology

Origin of drawing

A Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; see origin at draw, -ing ¹

Explanation

A drawing is a sketch or a picture, usually made with a pencil or pen. You might use extra class time after you've finished a test to make a quick drawing of your teacher sleeping at his desk. A drawing is an artwork that's not a painting — it's made of sketched lines and represents some object, person, or form. An architect might begin working on a project for a house design by doing some drawings, and a kindergartener might proudly hang a drawing of her family on the refrigerator. Another kind of drawing is the act of pulling, which is also the earliest meaning of the word.

Example Sentences

Saracens were drawing 33-33 with Bristol Bears in the PWR when the referee awarded Harrison's side a 79th-minute penalty.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

“They see the repeated tests, and the conclusion most people are drawing is that bonds simply can’t break lower from here. That’s exactly where the mistake is,” Perz said.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

Analysts say the conflicts are increasingly overlapping and drawing in external actors from the wider region.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

He was the whole package that makes him at once so tantalizing and frustrating—hitting jumpers, drawing fouls, protecting the rim and stifling Boston’s offense.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

I was already sitting down under Henry VIII, getting to work on a drawing I’d started the day before.

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan

Related Words

• cartoon
• depiction
• design
• etching
• graphics
• layout
• likeness
• painting
• picture
• sketch
• study
• work of art