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Meaning & use

drawings

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈdrɔːɪŋz/
US/ˈdrɔːɪŋz/

“drawings” is a form of “drawing”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nounplural

    Pictures or images made with a pencil, pen, or crayon, especially as a form of art.

    Grammar: Plural noun; the singular is 'drawing'. Use it for more than one picture.

    Patterns

    • drawings of someone/something
    • a collection of drawings
    • pencil drawings

    The gallery is showing drawings by local schoolchildren.

    She filled her notebook with drawings of birds and flowers.

    His early drawings were simple, but his later work became very detailed.

  2. noununcountable

    The activity or skill of making pictures with a pencil, pen, or crayon.

    Grammar: Uncountable when talking about the activity; use 'drawing' (singular) for this sense.

    Patterns

    • do drawings
    • teach drawings
    • a class in drawings

    He spends his evenings doing drawings to relax.

    The children have drawings every Friday afternoon.

    Her drawings improved a lot after she took a summer course.

Word forms

singulardrawing

Common combinations

pencil drawings
The museum has a room full of pencil drawings from the 19th century.
a series of drawings
The artist created a series of drawings based on her dreams.
drawings of something
He showed me his drawings of the old castle.
original drawings
The book includes original drawings by the author.
make drawings
She likes to make drawings while waiting for the bus.

Synonyms and how they differ

sketches
Sketches are quick, rough drawings, often done as preparation; 'drawings' can be more finished.
illustrations
Illustrations are pictures that go with a text, such as in a book; drawings is a broader word for any picture made with a tool.
pictures
Pictures is a very general word that can include photos and paintings; drawings specifically means images made with a pen, pencil, etc.

Word family

draw verb
To make a picture with a pen or pencil.
drawing noun
A single picture made with a pen or pencil.
drawer noun
A person who draws; also a sliding box in furniture.

Commonly confused: drawings or draws?

drawings vs draws

Draws is the third-person singular of the verb 'draw' (he draws), while drawings is a plural noun.

Practice

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