draft

A version of a piece of writing that may still need changes.

• This is my first draft.
• She made several changes to the draft of her speech.
• Have you finished the new draft yet?

How to use it: draft of something (I sent her a draft of my report.)

Similar words: version

Common phrases: first draft, rough draft, draft of something

A system for choosing military members or new players for a sports team.

• He opposed the military draft.
• The team selected a goalkeeper in the draft.
• Many young men feared the draft during the war.

Common phrases: military draft, the draft, draft pick

A stream of air entering or moving through a room, often making it feel cold.

• I can feel a cold draft.
• Close the door to stop the draft.
• These old windows let in drafts all winter.

How to use it: draft from something (There is a draft from the window.)

Similar words: draught

Common phrases: cold draft, feel a draft, draft from something

Beer served from a large container through a tap.

• This beer is available on draft.
• I ordered a cold draft at the bar.
• Which local beers do you have on draft?

Similar words: draught beer, draft beer

Common phrases: on draft, local draft, cold draft

The distance from the surface of the water to the lowest part of a ship.

• The ship has a shallow draft.
• Its draft is too deep for this harbour.
• Loaded vessels have a greater draft than empty ones.

Common phrases: deep draft, shallow draft, ship’s draft

An amount of liquid drunk in one swallow.

• He drank a deep draft of water.
• One draft emptied the small cup.
• She took several long drafts from the bottle.

How to use it: draft of something (He took a long draft of water.)

Similar words: draught, swallow, gulp

Common phrases: long draft, deep draft, draft of water

To write a first version of something that may need changes.

• I drafted a short letter.
• The lawyer is drafting our contract.
• Could you draft a proposal before Friday?

Similar words: write, draw up

Common phrases: draft a letter, draft an agreement, draft a proposal

To require someone to join the armed forces.

• The army drafted him at eighteen.
• Thousands of men were drafted during the war.
• Would the government draft women as well?

How to use it: draft someone into something (The government drafted him into the army.)

Similar words: conscript, call up

Common phrases: draft someone, draft into service, draft into something