Phrase guide

draw near

verb · 3 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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  • UK: /dɹɔː nɪə(ɹ)/
  • US: /dɹɔ nɪɚ/

1

verb

Meaning 1

To approach, to move toward.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • The crowd drew near to the speaker.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To approach, to come closer.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • I became nervous as my wedding day drew near.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

move towards

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • We were approaching our destination
  • They are drawing near
  • The enemy army came nearer and nearer

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: approach, near, come on, go up, draw close, come near

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: come, come up

Narrower terms: drive up, bear down on, bear down upon, edge in, edge up, close, push, crowd

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

18 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: acostar-se — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Catalan: apropar-se — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Catalan: atansar-se — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • French: approcher — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • French: s'approcher — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Galician: achegar — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Galician: chegar — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Ancient Greek: ἐγγίζω (engízō) — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Ancient Greek: πελάζω (pelázō) — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Latin: adeō — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Latin: appropinquō — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Sanskrit: आचरति (ācarati) — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Swahili: kukaribia — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Ottoman Turkish: یاقینلاشمق (yakınlaşmak) — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Ugaritic: 𐎖𐎗𐎁 (qrb) — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Ukrainian: наближа́тися (nablyžátysja) — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Ukrainian: набли́жуватися (nablýžuvatysja) — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach
  • Ukrainian: набли́зитися (nablýzytysja) — to approach (intransitive) — see also approach