draw near

IPA/dɹˈɔː nˈiə/
IPA/dɹˈɔː nˈɪɹ/

draw near — phrasal verb

  • draw nearbase form
  • draws near3rd person singular
  • drawing near-ing form
  • drew nearpast simple
  • drawn nearpast participle

1. to move so that the distance between you and a place, person, or moment in time

1.phrasal verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to move so that the distance between you and a place, person, or moment in time becomes smaller.

Example

As the train drew near, Samir could feel the platform shaking under his feet.

draw near as a moment or thing approaches

The old fishing boat drew near to the harbour just before the storm broke.

draw near to + place

Common collocations
  • winter draws near
  • the time draws near
  • draw near to the shore
  • as the day draws near
Synonyms
  • approach

    neutral and very common; works in everyday and formal writing

  • come closer

    plain, everyday wording; less formal than 'draw near'

  • advance

    suggests steady forward movement, often of an army or a date

Antonyms
  • draw away

    to move further off

  • recede

    to move back into the distance, often of sounds or tides

Grammar Patterns

draw near

draw near to + noun

Usage Note

Frequently used of time, events, or seasons getting close (winter, an exam, a deadline), not only physical movement. More formal or literary than 'come closer' or 'get nearer'.

Common Mistakes

The dog drew near the bone.' (sounds odd for a quick everyday action)
The dog crept toward the bone.
'draw near' suits slow approach or approaching time, not a quick grab.

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

A combination of the verb 'draw', which here keeps its old sense of moving or pulling toward something, and 'near', meaning close by. The phrase has been used in English for centuries, especially in older and religious writing, to describe both physical approach and the approach of a time or event.