Showing results for "drawing"

• present participle of draw.

drawing

American  

[draw-ing] / ˈdrɔ ɪŋ /

noun

• drawings
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• self-drawing
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• drawings
  plural

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

See Examples For:

drawing drawings

“A number of the newer products that we just rolled out, either in beta or early-access programs, are not drawing down paid credits today,” Melwani said on the earnings call.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

Constructing an accurate, full-scale replica involves far more than enlarging a drawing or arranging generic bones into a dramatic pose.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 5, 2026

“Normally, law enforcement officers order people out of the car,” Dicus said, but Jianquan Bo got out of the car, drawing the focus of the deputies who struggled to communicate through a language barrier.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026

But it says people should consider potential pitfalls seriously and plan ahead by being upfront about their finances, seeking separate legal advice and drawing up a formal agreement.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

In 1665, the English scientist Robert Hooke published this detailed drawing of a flea as seen through the newly invented microscope.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

While Wangchuk is not at the protest site any longer, many of the placards and posters have slogans about his fast and drawings of him.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

Rogers Jones Auctioneers are selling Young's original working drawings for his celebrated porcelain.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Black persists in his brush drawings of the late 1940s—sumptuous, if monochromatic, ink-on-paper works, like 1948’s “Interior With Window and Palm,” that seem to fuse painting and drawing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

A culmination, it incorporates the sinuous lines of the brush drawings with the color blocks of the cut-outs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

There were no drawings because they knew the location.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Related Words

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