withdrawal
C1Formal, Semi-formal, Technical
Definition
Meaning
The action of removing, taking back, or ceasing to participate in something.
The process of removing money from an account; the act of retracting a statement or offer; the removal of troops; the discontinuation of a drug or addictive substance, leading to physical/psychological symptoms; the act of becoming socially or emotionally detached.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate, formal, or official act. In medical/psychological contexts, it refers specifically to the syndrome following cessation of a substance. The word can describe both a single action and an ongoing process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: British English occasionally uses 'withdrawl' as a common misspelling, but the correct spelling is identical. Pronunciation differs (see IPA). In banking, both use 'withdrawal', but phrasing may differ (e.g., 'cash withdrawal' vs. 'withdraw cash').
Connotations
Largely identical. In formal military or diplomatic contexts, both varieties use it similarly.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties due to common use in finance, medicine, and general discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
withdrawal from (something)withdrawal of (something)make/effect a withdrawalVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Go into withdrawal (experience symptoms)”
- “A withdrawal symptom”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The client requested a large cash withdrawal from their savings account.
Academic
The study examined the psychological effects of social withdrawal in adolescents.
Everyday
I need to make a withdrawal at the ATM before we go out.
Technical
The patient is experiencing acute benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The bank allows you to withdraw up to £500 daily.
- The army was ordered to withdraw from the region.
American English
- You can withdraw cash from any ATM in the network.
- The company decided to withdraw the product from the market.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. 'Withdrawingly' is virtually never used.
American English
- Not applicable. 'Withdrawingly' is virtually never used.
adjective
British English
- He became very withdrawn after the incident.
- Her withdrawn manner made conversation difficult.
American English
- The withdrawn candidate issued a statement.
- She has a naturally withdrawn personality.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I made a withdrawal of £20 from the cash machine.
- His withdrawal from the race was a surprise.
- The sudden withdrawal of funding left the project in crisis.
- She is suffering from caffeine withdrawal and has a headache.
- The treaty requires the phased withdrawal of foreign troops.
- Emotional withdrawal can be a sign of depression.
- The diplomat negotiated the unilateral withdrawal of forces from the contested zone.
- Managing the symptoms of opiate withdrawal requires medical supervision.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: WITH-DRAW-AL. You DRAW your money OUT (with-DRAW-al) FROM the bank.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVEMENT AWAY IS WITHDRAWAL (from a place, agreement, or state). LIQUID/SOLID REMOVAL IS WITHDRAWAL (from an account or the body).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как 'вывод' в контексте логического заключения (это 'inference' или 'conclusion').
- В финансовом контексте 'withdrawal' — это конкретное действие снятия, а не общий 'вывод средств' (это 'withdrawal of funds').
- В психологическом контексте 'withdrawal' может означать 'уход в себя', 'аутизм', а не только отказ от вещества.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'withdrawl' (very common).
- Using 'withdrawal' as a verb (the verb is 'to withdraw').
- Confusing 'withdrawal' (noun) with 'withdrawn' (adjective/verb past participle).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'withdrawal' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very common misspelling. The correct spelling is W-I-T-H-D-R-A-W-A-L.
'Withdraw' is the verb (to take out/back). 'Withdrawal' is the noun form (the act or process of withdrawing).
Yes, in a psychological sense, 'social withdrawal' or 'emotional withdrawal' describes disengagement from social interaction or emotional connection. The adjective 'withdrawn' is more common for describing a person.
It is usually countable (e.g., 'make a withdrawal', 'several withdrawals'). It can be uncountable when referring to the general concept or syndrome (e.g., 'suffering from withdrawal').
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C2 · 48 words · Language for structured academic and political debate.
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