main draw

Meanings

1. 1nounsingularsport

   The main part of a sports tournament, where the strongest players or teams compete after qualifying rounds.

   Grammar: Usually used with 'the'; the plural is rare but appears as 'main draws' when talking about several tournaments.

   Patterns

   • reach the main draw
   • qualify for the main draw
   • in the main draw

   She won three qualifying matches to reach the main draw.

   Only the top sixteen players go straight into the main draw.

   He lost in the first round of the main draw.

2. 2nounsingular

   The event or feature that attracts the most people or attention at a show or occasion.

   Grammar: Often used with 'the' and followed by 'of': the main draw of the festival.

   Patterns

   • the main draw of something
   • be the main draw

   The headline band was the main draw of the weekend.

   For many visitors, the food stalls are the main draw.

Common combinations

reach the main draw

After two tough wins, she finally reached the main draw.

qualify for the main draw

He needs one more victory to qualify for the main draw.

enter the main draw

Wildcards let young players enter the main draw directly.

the main draw of the tournament

The main draw of the tournament begins on Monday.

a place in the main draw

She earned a place in the main draw with a strong serve.

Synonyms and how they differ

main field

Used in some sports for the same group of competitors, but less common in tennis and golf.

main event

Refers to the most important single contest or performance, not the whole group of competitors.

Opposites

Word family

draw noun

The set of matches or the selection process that decides who plays whom.

draw verb

To be paired with an opponent in a competition.

Commonly confused: main draw or draw?

Practice

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