draughts
C1Formal (BrE), Technical (AmE)
Definition
Meaning
A board game for two players, each with twelve pieces, which are moved diagonally.
In broader usage, can refer to a current of cool air in a room, or the act of pulling or drawing. However, as a distinct headword, 'draughts' overwhelmingly refers to the game.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In British English, 'draughts' is the standard term for the game known in American English as 'checkers'. Its singular form 'draught' is rarely used in the game context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: 'draughts' is the common name for the game. US: 'checkers' is the common name for the game; 'draughts' is a formal or technical term, often used to specify the international version.
Connotations
In BrE, it is a standard, everyday term. In AmE, it is a specialist term, potentially signalling knowledge of board games or international rules.
Frequency
High frequency in BrE for the game; very low frequency in AmE everyday speech for the game (where 'checkers' dominates).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
play + draughts + with + [person]beat/defeat + [person] + at + draughtsmove + a piece + in + draughtsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “n/a”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Uncommon, except perhaps in the context of game publishing or toy manufacturing.
Academic
Used in historical, cultural, or mathematical game theory contexts.
Everyday
Common in BrE for social and family games; rare in AmE everyday use.
Technical
Used in game design, AI research, and to specify the international rules versus American checkers.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He draughted his pieces expertly.
- She was draughting a winning strategy.
American English
- (Not used as a verb in AmE for this sense; 'to checker' is not standard.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form for this sense.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form for this sense.)
adjective
British English
- draughts master
- draughts tournament
American English
- draughts competition
- draughts rulebook
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandfather taught me to play draughts.
- We spent the rainy afternoon playing draughts by the fire.
- The rules of international draughts differ slightly from American checkers, particularly regarding the king piece.
- Analysing endgame positions in draughts requires sophisticated combinatorial reasoning, much like in chess.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Draughts' requires DRAwing pieces Across the board.
Conceptual Metaphor
GAME AS BATTLE ('capture the opponent's pieces', 'strategic positioning').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'шахматы' (chess). 'Draughts' is 'шашки'.
- Do not confuse the word 'draughts' (game) with 'draft' (черновик, проект).
Common Mistakes
- Using singular 'draught' for the game (e.g., 'I play draught').
- In AmE, using 'draughts' in casual conversation instead of 'checkers'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'draughts' correctly in British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is treated as a singular noun when referring to the game (e.g., 'Draughts is fun'). However, it is grammatically plural in form.
They refer to essentially the same game. 'Draughts' is the British term. 'Checkers' is the American term. Sometimes 'draughts' specifies the international version with a larger board.
No, it is not standard. You would say 'a draughts piece' or simply 'a piece'.
'Draught' is the older spelling, retained in British English for this sense (as well as for air current, beer, horse). American English simplified it to 'draft' for most senses, but kept the 'checkers' name for the game.