- [countable] a rough written version of something that is not yet in its final form
- This is only the first draft of my speech.
- I've made a rough draft of the letter.
- The final published version differs from earlier drafts in many key details.
- the final draft (= the final version)
- a draft report/plan/bill/resolution
- a draft document/proposal
- the draft constitution/legislation/agreement
- The legislation is still in draft form.
Extra ExamplesTopics Law and justiceb2, Phones, email and the internetb2, Businessb2- I sent an early draft to an agent.
- She produced an initial draft of her plans.
- The preliminary draft of the agreement has been approved.
- The students were invited to submit drafts for feedback.
- Is this the final draft?
- The original drafts for the new building are with the architects.
- There is a rough draft of how the park should be laid out.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- early
- first
- initial
- …
- draw up
- prepare
- produce
- …
- agreement
- bill
- budget
- …
- in a/the draft
- in draft form
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The Oxford Learner’s Thesaurus explains the difference between groups of similar words. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app
- [countable] (finance) a written order to a bank to pay money to somebody
- Payment must be made by bank draft drawn on a UK bank.
- the draft[singular] (especially US English)(British English usually conscription)the practice of ordering people by law to join the armed forcesCultureIn the US the draft is controlled by the US government's selective service system. In the past young people were required by law to serve in the armed forces. This requirement was replaced in 1973 by a system in which people may join the forces only if they wish to. However, young men must still add their names to the draft list when they are 18, in case of a future military emergency. People who tried to avoid the draft, especially during the Vietnam War, were known as draft dodgers.note at national serviceTopics War and conflictc2Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
- military
- avoid
- dodge
- oppose
- …
- [singular] (North American English) a system in which professional teams in some sports choose players each year from among college students
- He was the fourth player chosen in the 2017 draft, but the first of his class to reach the major leagues.
- (North American English) (British English draught)[countable] a flow of cool air in a room or other small space
- Can you shut the door? There's a draft in here.
- (North American English) (British English draught)[countable] (formal) one continuous action of swallowing liquid (= making it go down your throat); the amount swallowed
- He took a deep draft of his beer.
- (North American English) (British English draught)[countable] (old use or literary) medicine in a liquid form
- a sleeping draft (= one that makes you sleep)
Word Originmid 16th cent.: phonetic spelling of draught.
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draft