draft chair
B1Neutral to formal, depending on context. Common in business, legal, military, and technical writing.
Definition
Meaning
a preliminary version of a written text, plan, or design that is subject to revision before being finalised.
A current of air; the act of selecting someone for military service; the depth of water needed to float a ship; a single act of drinking or inhaling; the pulling force of a vehicle or animal; a written order for payment of money by a bank.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word spans concrete (air flow) and abstract (preliminary text) domains. As a verb, it implies a deliberate, often systematic, act of creation or selection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English strongly prefers 'draught' for the meanings related to air, beer, horses, and depth of water. 'Draft' is used for preliminary versions, military conscription, and banking. American English uses 'draft' for all meanings.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'draft' (preliminary text) connotes unfinished work. 'Draught' (UK) for beer or air can have positive (refreshing pint) or negative (chilly room) connotations.
Frequency
'Draft' is exceedingly common in AmE. In BrE, the split between 'draught' and 'draft' makes the frequency context-dependent.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
draft + NP (draft a contract)be drafted into + NP (be drafted into the army)draft + NP + for + NP (draft him for the team)NP + draft (a chimney draft)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “feel the draft (experience financial difficulty)”
- “draft behind someone (cycling: ride closely behind to reduce wind resistance)”
- “at a draft (in one single drink or inhalation)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to a preliminary agreement, report, or financial order. 'Please review the draft Q3 report before the meeting.'
Academic
Referring to an early version of a thesis, paper, or research plan. 'She submitted the first draft of her dissertation.'
Everyday
Referring to a chilly breeze or an unfinished piece of writing. 'Shut the door, there's a draft.' / 'My essay is still just a draft.'
Technical
In engineering: the force required to pull a load. In brewing: beer served from a cask. In naval architecture: the depth a vessel sinks in water.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- Could you check the draught from the window?
- He paid with a banker's draft.
- The ship has a shallow draft.
American English
- Close the door, there's a draft.
- He paid with a bank draft.
- The first draft of the novel is complete.
verb
British English
- The lawyer will draft the contract this afternoon.
- He was drafted into the navy during the war.
- The club drafted a new playmaker.
American English
- The committee will draft new legislation.
- He was drafted by the Chicago Bears.
- They drafted her onto the project team.
adjective
British English
- This is just a draft copy for internal discussion.
- He is a draft horse, bred for pulling heavy loads.
- The draft proposal was rejected.
American English
- Send me the draft document by Friday.
- They used draft animals on the farm.
- Her draft thesis was over 300 pages.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I wrote a draft of my email.
- There is a cold draft in this room.
- The manager asked for a draft of the report by Tuesday.
- He was drafted to play for the national team.
- After incorporating the feedback, the final draft was submitted to the journal.
- The engineer calculated the vessel's draft before entering the canal.
- The treaty is still in draft form and subject to intense diplomatic negotiation.
- The cyclist stayed in the lead rider's draft to conserve energy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DRAFTSman who makes a first sketch (draft) of a plan, while a breeze (draft) blows his papers off the table.
Conceptual Metaphor
WRITING IS SHAPING RAW MATERIAL (sculpting a draft into a final piece). SELECTION IS FORCED MOVEMENT (being drafted into the army).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'draft' as 'черновик' in contexts like 'bank draft' (банковский перевод/вексель) or 'military draft' (призыв в армию). 'Draught beer' is 'разливное пиво', not 'черновое пиво'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'draught' in American English. Confusing 'draft' (preliminary) with 'draught' (UK air/beer) in British English. Using 'draft' as a verb without an object (Incorrect: 'I will draft.' Correct: 'I will draft a letter.').
Practice
Quiz
In British English, which spelling is typically used for beer served from a cask?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct, but for different meanings. Use 'draught' for air, beer, horses, and ship depth. Use 'draft' for preliminary versions, conscription, and banking.
Yes, commonly. It means to prepare a preliminary version of a text ('draft a speech') or to select someone for a duty, especially military service ('he was drafted').
A bank draft is a payment order guaranteed by the bank's own funds, making it more secure than a personal cheque, which is drawn on an individual's account and can bounce.
It means to experience financial difficulty or pressure, often due to reduced income or increased costs.