drawers
B1Neutral to formal for furniture; historical/dated for undergarments.
Definition
Meaning
A piece of furniture consisting of a box-shaped storage compartment that slides in and out of a frame, typically part of a chest, desk, or cabinet.
1. An undergarment covering the lower body and legs, typically worn in historical contexts (e.g., 'knickerbockers'). 2. In technical contexts, can refer to a person or thing that draws (e.g., 'lottery drawers').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a plural noun, but can be treated as singular when referring to a single piece of furniture ('a drawers'). The undergarment sense is largely archaic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use 'drawers' for furniture. The undergarment sense is equally historical in both. No significant difference in core usage.
Connotations
In both, the furniture sense is neutral. The undergarment sense may evoke Victorian/Edwardian era or humour.
Frequency
The furniture sense is common. The undergarment sense is very rare in modern usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] + drawers: open/close/shut/lock/stick/jam the drawers[Adjective] + drawers: wooden/metal/plastic/stuck/broken drawers[Preposition] + drawers: in the drawers, from the drawersVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Top drawer (excellent quality)”
- “Bottom drawer (historically, where a woman stored items for her marriage)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to storage in office furniture ('file drawers').
Academic
May appear in historical texts describing domestic life or furniture design.
Everyday
Commonly used for home furniture storage ('kitchen drawers').
Technical
Used in carpentry, furniture design, and interior planning specifications.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I keep my socks in the top drawer.
- The kitchen drawers are white.
- She opened the desk drawer to find a pen.
- We need to organise these filing drawers.
- The antique chest of drawers was a family heirloom.
- He rummaged frantically through all the drawers looking for his passport.
- The design featured seamlessly integrated drawers with hidden finger pulls.
- Victorian drawers, as undergarments, were often made of linen or cotton.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DRawer: you DRaw it out to access what's inside.
Conceptual Metaphor
STORAGE IS A CONTAINER; ORGANISATION IS COMPARTMENTALISATION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'drawings' (рисунки). The Russian word 'ящики' is a close equivalent for the furniture sense.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'drawers' as a singular noun for one drawer (correct: 'a drawer'). Misspelling as 'draws'. Confusing with the verb 'to draw'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a common meaning of 'drawers'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily a plural noun. The singular is 'drawer'. However, 'a drawers' (treating it as singular) is sometimes used informally to refer to a chest of drawers.
It is a piece of furniture with multiple stacked drawers, typically used for storing clothes.
This usage is now historical or humorous. Modern terms are 'underwear', 'knickers' (UK), or 'panties' (US).
A drawer is a box that slides out horizontally. A shelf is a flat, fixed surface inside a cupboard or on a wall.