draft

Pronunciation: /drɑːft/

noun

Difficulty: common

Definition of draft

A preliminary version or rough outline of a piece of writing, created as a foundation for further refinement and editing.

Origin of draft

Language of origin: Old English

Root word: dragan

Original meaning: to draw or pull

How it evolved: The term evolved from the idea of drawing or pulling something out, such as a sketch or preliminary version, to its modern usage in writing and planning.

The word 'draft' originates from Old English and Middle English, derived from the concept of 'drawing' something out, such as an outline or a plan.

First known use: 14th century

How to Remember draft

Think of 'draft' as the first draft of a cool breeze—it's not fully formed, just like a preliminary version of a paper.

Synonyms for draft

Antonyms of draft

  • final draft
  • finished product
  • completion
  • polished version

draft in a Sentence

  1. The author's first draft of the novel was brimming with potential but required substantial revisions to clarify the plot.
  2. Before submitting her thesis, she meticulously revised each draft to ensure academic rigor and coherence.
  3. The architect presented a draft of the building plans to the client for approval before proceeding with construction.

draft in Literature & Culture

The concept of a 'draft' is central to creative and academic disciplines, appearing in discussions of literature, screenwriting, and even legal documents. Its use underscores the iterative nature of craftsmanship and intellectual work.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of its dual use as a noun and verb (e.g., 'to draft a proposal'). It can also refer to a military conscription or a cool breeze in certain contexts, so consider the surrounding context.

Why draft Matters for GRE & SAT

Understanding 'draft' is essential for GRE test-takers who may encounter reading comprehension passages discussing writing processes or abstract planning concepts.

Word Family

drafting (verb)
The act of creating a preliminary version of something.
drafter (noun)
A person who creates drafts or preliminary versions of documents or designs.
redraft (verb)
To revise or rewrite a draft.

Did You Know?

  • The term 'first draft' is often used metaphorically, even outside of writing, to describe an initial attempt at an idea or project.
  • In sports, 'draft' refers to the selection of players for a team, a concept derived from the idea of drawing names from a pool.
  • In literature, famous authors like Ernest Hemingway emphasized the importance of revising drafts, with Hemingway famously saying, 'The first draft of anything is garbage.'
  • abstract
  • daunting — scary or frightening; (of a task) seeming impossible
  • dawdle — move slowly and without purpose
  • dearth — A scarcity or lack of something
  • debate — A formal discussion on a particular topic
  • debilitate — To make someone weak and infirm

More Vocabulary Words Starting with D

  • daunting — scary or frightening; (of a task) seeming impossible
  • daunting — scary or frightening; (of a task) seeming impossible
  • dawdle — move slowly and without purpose
  • dawdle — move slowly and without purpose
  • dearth — A scarcity or lack of something
  • dearth — lack of something in a particular area
  • dearth — lack of something in a particular area
  • debate — A formal discussion on a particular topic
  • debate — A formal discussion on a particular topic
  • debilitate — To make someone weak and infirm