How to pronounce withdraw
Say it like with-DRAW. Withdraw has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DRAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce withdraw. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- with
- DRAW
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Withdraw pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- withKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- DRAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of withdraw
American and British speakers say withdraw in essentially the same way: /wɪðˈdrɔ/ in the US and /wɪðˈdrɔː/ in the UK.
British respelling: with-DRAW.
What does withdraw mean?
- pull back or move away or backward“The enemy withdrew”“The limo pulled away from the curb”
- withdraw from active participation“He retired from chess”
- release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles“I want to disengage myself from his influence”“disengage the gears”
Where does withdraw come from?
From Middle English withdrawen, withdrauen (“to depart, leave, move away; (reflexive) to go away; (reflexive) to leave someone’s service; (often reflexive) to draw back or retreat (from a battlefield or dangerous place), withdraw; to abando
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with withdraw
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of withdraw.
Questions about saying withdraw
How do you pronounce withdraw?
Say with-DRAW. The American pronunciation is /wɪðˈdrɔ/. In British English it is /wɪðˈdrɔː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in withdraw?
Withdraw has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DRAW). Broken into parts: with · DRAW.
Do Americans and Brits say withdraw the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /wɪðˈdrɔ/ and the British form is /wɪðˈdrɔː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.