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draw on

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌdrɔ ˈɑn/ · UK /ˌdrɔː ˈɒn/

draw on means: To use knowledge, experience, money, or other things you have to help you do something.

verb

USE A RESOURCEB2

To use knowledge, experience, money, or other things you have to help you do something.

  • You can draw on my experience.
  • We drew on our savings to pay the bills.
  • Her latest book draws on years of research.

How to use it: draw on something (The writer draws on memories of her childhood.)

Similar words: use, make use of, rely on

Common phrases: draw on experience, draw on savings, draw on something

MARK A SURFACEA1

To make a picture or marks with a pen or pencil on a surface.

  • Draw on this paper.
  • The children drew on the wall with crayons.
  • Can I draw on the board?

How to use it: draw on something (You can draw on this sheet of paper.)

Similar words: sketch on

Common phrases: draw on paper, draw on walls, draw on something

TIME PASSESC1

If a period of time does this, it passes or continues.

  • The day drew on slowly.
  • As the night drew on, the streets grew quiet.
  • We became more worried as the hours drew on.

How to use it: as something draws on (As the afternoon drew on, everyone grew tired.)

Similar words: pass, progress, wear on

Common phrases: draw on slowly, draw on into evening

TIME APPROACHESC1

If an event or time does this, it gets closer.

  • Evening was drawing on.
  • Winter drew on, and we gathered more wood.
  • As dusk draws on, the birds return to their nests.

Similar words: approach, draw near

Common phrases: draw on steadily, draw on inexorably

PUT ON CLOTHESC2

To put a piece of clothing on your body by pulling it into place.

  • He drew on his boots.
  • She drew on warm stockings before the walk.
  • Draw your gloves on; the wind is bitter.

How to use it: draw something on (She drew her gloves on before leaving.)

Similar words: put on, pull on

Opposites: take off

Common phrases: draw on gloves, draw on boots, draw on stockings

FIRE A GUNC2

To fire a gun at a person, animal, or target.

  • The hunter drew on the bird.
  • He drew on the target and missed.
  • She drew on the fleeing deer with her rifle.

How to use it: draw on someone/something (The hunter drew on the bird as it flew past.)

Similar words: fire at, shoot at

Common phrases: draw on something, draw on a bird

Questions about draw on

What does draw on mean?

To use knowledge, experience, money, or other things you have to help you do something.

What is draw on in other languages?

Türkçe: yararlanmak · Español: recurrir a · Français: puiser dans · Deutsch: zurückgreifen auf · Italiano: attingere a · 日本語: 活用する

How do you pronounce draw on?

In American English /ˌdrɔ ˈɑn/; in British English /ˌdrɔː ˈɒn/.

How do you use draw on in a sentence?

You can draw on my experience. We drew on our savings to pay the bills.

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draw on in other languages

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