undraw
Very Low (Obsolete/Literary)Archaic, Literary, Technical (rarely used in modern English)
Definition
Meaning
To pull back or open something that was drawn (closed, shut, or covering something).
To reverse the action of drawing; to open, uncover, or retract by pulling. Often used for curtains, blinds, or in figurative contexts like withdrawing attention.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A largely obsolete verb formed by adding the prefix 'un-' (indicating reversal) to 'draw'. It is the direct opposite of 'draw' in senses like 'draw the curtains'. In contemporary use, 'open', 'pull back', or 'draw back' are vastly preferred.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant modern difference, as the word is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries a poetic, old-fashioned, or deliberately stylistic connotation.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both. Might be marginally more likely in British English due to a slightly stronger preservation of archaic literary forms, but the difference is negligible.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] undraws [Object] (e.g., She undrew the curtain.)[Subject] undraws (intransitive, rare) (e.g., The curtain undrew.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in common usage.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical or philological texts discussing archaic language.
Everyday
Not used. Would sound strange or pretentious.
Technical
Rarely, in very specific mechanical or theatrical contexts to describe a reversing action.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He quietly undrew the heavy drapes to let in the morning light.
- In the old tale, the knight was commanded to undraw his blade.
American English
- She undrew the blinds to reveal the city skyline.
- The stage direction read: 'Lights fade in as the curtain is undrawn.'
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Not taught at this level. Use 'open the curtain' instead.)
- (Not typically introduced. Example for recognition only:) In the poem, she *undrew* the curtain to see the garden.
- The magician undrew a velvet cloth to reveal the empty cage.
- This archaic verb, 'to undraw', is rarely encountered outside classic literature.
- The author employs the verb 'undraw' to lend a consciously archaic tone to the narrative, contrasting with the modern setting.
- One could metaphorically undraw the veil of ignorance through study and inquiry.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: UN-DO a DRAW. If you DRAW the curtains shut, you UN-DRAW them to open them again.
Conceptual Metaphor
REVELATION IS UNDRAWING A COVER (e.g., 'She undrew the veil of secrecy').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'рисовать' (to draw a picture). 'Undraw' is the reverse of 'draw' as in 'to pull'.
- The closest modern equivalent is 'отдернуть' or 'раздвинуть' (for curtains).
- Avoid direct translation; use 'open' or 'pull back' instead.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in modern speech. (Incorrect: 'Please undraw the window blinds.')
- Confusing it with 'unwind' or 'unfold'.
- Using it to mean 'erase a drawing'.
Practice
Quiz
In contemporary English, which phrase BEST replaces 'undraw the curtains'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is considered archaic. It is formed by adding the reversing prefix 'un-' to the verb 'draw' (in the sense of 'to pull').
No, it would sound very odd and old-fashioned. Always use 'open', 'pull back', or 'draw back' instead.
The standard past tense is 'undrew' (analogous to 'drew' from 'draw'). The past participle is 'undrawn'.
No. While 'draw' can mean 'to make a picture', 'undraw' is not used to mean 'erase a drawing'. It specifically refers to reversing a pulling or closing action.