How to pronounce draft
Say it like DRAFT. Draft is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- DRAFT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Draft pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DRAFTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of draft
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: DRAHFT.
What does draft mean?
- A current of air, usually coming into a room or vehicle.
- The draw through a flue of gasses or smoke resulting from a combustion process.
- An act of drinking.
- To write a first version; to make a preliminary sketch.
- To draw in outline; to make a draught, sketch, or plan of, as in architectural and mechanical drawing.
- To write a law.
- Referring to drinks on tap, in contrast to bottled.“I'd rather have a fresh, cheap draft beer.”
- Referring to animals used for pulling heavy loads.“A Clydesdale is a draft horse.”
Where does draft come from?
A phonetic spelling of draught (compare laughter), from Middle English draught, draght (“that which is pulled; that which is drawn up, a design”), from Old English *dreaht, *dræht, from Proto-West Germanic *drahti, *drahtu, from Proto-Germa
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- swig
- slipstream
- bill of exchange
- order of payment
- draught
- rough drawing
- potation
- tipple
Words that rhyme with draft
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of draft.
Words that sound like draft
Questions about saying draft
How do you pronounce draft?
Say DRAFT. The American pronunciation is /dræft/. In British English it is /drɑːft/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in draft?
Draft is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: DRAFT.
Is draft pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat. The British form is /drɑːft/ (DRAHFT).
What words sound the same as draft?
Draft sounds the same as draught in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.