draught
draught — adjective
- draughtpositive
- draughtercomparative
- draughtestsuperlative
1. describes beer or other alcoholic drinks that are kept in a barrel and poured fr
describes beer or other alcoholic drinks that are kept in a barrel and poured from it using a tap, rather than being sold in a sealed bottle or can
The new pub in town serves draught beer from three local breweries.
collocation: draught beer
Jabari prefers draught cider because it has a fresher taste than bottled cider.
contrast: draught vs bottled
Most traditional English pubs keep their draught ales in a cool cellar below the bar.
A pint of draught lager costs less than the same brand in a bottle.
Heloísa asked the bartender which draught stouts were available that evening.
文法句型
draught + noun (beer, cider, ale, lager, stout)
用法筆記
This sense is spelled 'draft' in American English, where 'draft beer' is the standard term. Only used before a noun (attributive).
常見錯誤
2. describes an animal that is trained and used to pull carts, ploughs, or other he
describes an animal that is trained and used to pull carts, ploughs, or other heavy equipment over the ground
Farmers in the region still use draught horses to plough the steep hillside fields.
collocation: draught horses
The village museum has a collection of old harnesses once used for draught oxen.
collocation: draught oxen
Draught mules carried bags of grain up the narrow mountain paths for decades.
Before modern tractors were invented, every farm relied on draught animals for heavy work.
Ezra learned to handle draught horses when he worked on his uncle's farm.
- work
as in 'workhorse' or 'working animal', a more general and common term
- beast of burden
a formal or literary term for any animal that carries or pulls loads
文法句型
draught + animal noun (horse, ox, mule, camel)
用法筆記
Spelled 'draft' in American English ('draft horse', 'draft animal'). The noun form 'draught' with this meaning (the act of pulling) is now archaic in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
draught — noun
- draughtsingular
- draughtsplural
1. a narrow stream of cold air that moves into a room, vehicle, or other enclosed s
a narrow stream of cold air that moves into a room, vehicle, or other enclosed space, often making people feel chilly or uncomfortable
A cold draught blew through the gap under the front door.
Jisoo felt a draught on her neck and saw the train window was not closed.
common context: vehicle draught
The Wang family placed a rolled-up towel along the windowsill to stop the draught.
Sivan shivered as a draught of cool air swept through the old stone hallway.
Anya closed the chimney vent to prevent cold draughts coming down into the living room.
- draft
American English spelling of the same word
- current of air
a neutral, factual term that can describe any directed airflow
- breeze
a gentle, usually pleasant wind, typically outdoors; milder than a draught
文法句型
a + draught + of + noun (air, wind)
feel a draught
block a draught
用法筆記
The most common everyday sense of 'draught'. In US English it is spelled 'draft'. Often modified by 'cold', 'cool', 'nasty', or 'chilly'. A 'draught excluder' is a long fabric tube placed at the bottom of a door to block airflow.
常見錯誤
2. the depth of the part of a boat that sits below the surface of the water, which
the depth of the part of a boat that sits below the surface of the water, which determines the minimum water depth the boat can sail through without hitting the bottom
The ferry has a shallow draught so it can dock at small island ports.
collocation: shallow draught
This canal is only deep enough for boats whose draught is less than two metres.
pattern: draught of + measurement
The captain checked the ship's draught before entering the narrow river channel.
Loading extra cargo increased the vessel's draught by nearly half a metre.
Hassan chose a lightweight fishing boat with a draught of only sixty centimetres.
- draft
standard spelling in American and international nautical English
文法句型
a + draught + of + number + metres/feet
deep/shallow draught
用法筆記
In both British and American English, this sense is commonly spelled 'draft' in nautical writing. 'Deep-draught' and 'shallow-draught' are used as compound adjectives before nouns: 'a shallow-draught vessel'.
常見錯誤
3. a way of keeping beer or cider in a large barrel and pouring it through a tap wh
a way of keeping beer or cider in a large barrel and pouring it through a tap when someone orders it, rather than selling it in individual bottles or cans
This rich stout is only available on draught, not in cans or bottles.
key phrase: on draught
Lakshmi ordered a pint of bitter from the draught taps behind the bar.
The beer festival had a whole tent serving draught ale from five different counties.
Many people say that beer tastes smoother from draught than from a bottle.
Mathieu checked the pub's sign to see which beers were on draught that week.
- on tap
the more common American English equivalent; also used in British English informally
文法句型
on draught
from draught
available on draught
用法筆記
Always used in the fixed phrase 'on draught' (or 'on draft' in US English) to describe a drink served from a barrel. Do not say 'in draught' or 'from draught' — the correct preposition is 'on'.
常見錯誤
4. a board game played by two people on a square board divided into 64 smaller squa
a board game played by two people on a square board divided into 64 smaller squares, where each player has twelve flat round pieces and moves them diagonally forward to capture the opponent's pieces
Anya and Hassan played a game of draughts by the fireplace on rainy afternoons.
common pattern: play a game of draughts
Hassan captured three of Anya's pieces in one move and won the draughts match easily.
The wooden board game set includes red and black draughts on a checked board.
Emre learned to play draughts from his grandfather when he was only six years old.
Megan accidentally knocked over the draughts while reaching for her tea cup.
- checkers
the American English name for the same game
文法句型
play draughts
game of draughts
a set of draughts
用法筆記
In British English the game is called 'draughts' (treated as singular: 'Draughts is a simple game to learn'). In American English the same game is called 'checkers'. A single piece is called 'a draught' or 'a draughts piece'.
常見錯誤
5. the action of drinking liquid in a single continuous movement from lips to throa
the action of drinking liquid in a single continuous movement from lips to throat; the amount of liquid taken into the mouth and swallowed at one time
After the long run, Ari drank a long draught of cold water from the fountain.
pattern: a draught of + liquid
Élise took a deep draught of the hot soup and burned her tongue slightly.
collocation: take a deep draught
Megan finished the bottle of juice in one long draught without stopping.
The tired traveller drank a refreshing draught of mint tea at the market stall.
Jabari took a quick draught of water before continuing his speech on stage.
文法句型
a + draught + of + liquid noun
in one draught
take a draught
用法筆記
This sense is chiefly British and is somewhat formal or literary. In everyday conversation, 'swallow', 'gulp', or 'mouthful' are more common. 'Draught' in this sense often implies drinking eagerly or thirstily.
6. a liquid medicine that is swallowed, especially one that has a specific purpose
a liquid medicine that is swallowed, especially one that has a specific purpose such as helping a person sleep or easing a cough
The pharmacist prepared a sleeping draught for the patient who could not rest.
common collocation: sleeping draught
Hassan swallowed the bitter herbal draught and made a face at the taste.
The old recipe describes a draught made from ginger, honey, and lemon juice.
In Victorian novels, characters often ask for a sleeping draught when they feel anxious.
The doctor prescribed a cough draught that had to be taken three times a day.
- liquid medicine
the modern, neutral term
- syrup
specifically a sweetened liquid medicine, often for coughs
- mixture
a liquid medicine made by mixing ingredients, common in British pharmacy
文法句型
sleeping draught
cough draught
a draught of medicine
用法筆記
This sense is now mainly found in historical fiction, old recipes, or literary works. In modern medical contexts, 'liquid medicine', 'syrup', or 'mixture' are the usual terms. 'Sleeping draught' is the most common surviving use.