Phrase guide

draw in

verb · 11 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To attract.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • Their concerts draw in big crowds.
  • The campfire drew in numerous unwary moths.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To get (someone) involved.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • They drew in the quiet boy who hadn't wanted to participate.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To approach.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • They saw that the night was quickly drawing in, so they pitched their tent.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To become dark earlier as a result of seasonal change.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • It's that time of year again when the evenings really start to draw in.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To reduce or contract; to become shorter.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

draw in as if by suction

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • suck in your cheeks and stomach

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: suck in

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: hollow, hollow out, core out

7

verb

Meaning 7

direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Her good looks attract the stares of many men
  • The ad pulled in many potential customers
  • This pianist pulls huge crowds
  • The store owner was happy that the ad drew in many new customers

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: attract, pull, pull in, draw

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: pull, draw, force

Narrower terms: tug, catch, arrest, get, draw in, retract, bring

8

verb

Meaning 8

pull inward or towards a center

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The pilot drew in the landing gear
  • The cat retracted his claws

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: retract

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: attract, pull, pull in, draw, draw in

Narrower terms: invaginate, introvert

9

verb

Meaning 9

of trains; move into (a station)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The bullet train drew into Tokyo Station

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pull in, get in, move in

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: arrive, get, come

10

verb

Meaning 10

advance or converge on

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The police were closing in on him

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: close in

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: advance, progress, pass on, move on, march on, go on

11

verb

Meaning 11

shape one's body into a curl

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She curled farther down under the covers
  • She fell and drew in

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: curl up, curl

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: bend, flex

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: vetää — to attract groups of people
  • Russian: привлекать (privlekatʹ) — to attract groups of people
  • Russian: привлечь (privlečʹ) — to attract groups of people
  • Ukrainian: притя́гувати (prytjáhuvaty) — to attract groups of people
  • Ukrainian: притяга́ти (prytjaháty) — to attract groups of people
  • Ukrainian: притягну́ти (prytjahnúty) — to attract groups of people
  • Ukrainian: притягти́ (prytjahtý) — to attract groups of people
  • Ukrainian: прива́блювати (pryvábljuvaty) — to attract groups of people
  • Ukrainian: прива́бити (pryvábyty) — to attract groups of people
  • Finnish: vetää mukaan — to get someone involved
  • Russian: вовлекать (vovlekatʹ) — to get someone involved
  • Russian: вовлечь (vovlečʹ) — to get someone involved
  • Ukrainian: втя́гувати (vtjáhuvaty) — to get someone involved
  • Ukrainian: втяга́ти (vtjaháty) — to get someone involved
  • Ukrainian: втягну́ти (vtjahnúty) — to get someone involved
  • Ukrainian: втягти́ (vtjahtý) — to get someone involved
  • Finnish: laskeutua — of night/darkness: to approach