Draught vs. Draft — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 26, 2024
Draught refers to a current of air or a serving of drink from a cask, while draft refers to a preliminary version of a piece of writing or a selection process.
Difference Between Draught and Draft
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Draught is primarily used in British English to describe a current of air in an enclosed space, such as a draught coming through a window. Whereas, in American English, draft is the term used for the same phenomenon.
When discussing beverages, especially beer, draught denotes beer served from a barrel or tank rather than a bottle or can. On the other hand, draft does not commonly describe beverages but can refer to the process of drawing liquid, including beer, from a keg.
In a non-physical context, draft refers to a preliminary version of a document, plan, or design, intended for review and revision. Draught does not share this meaning and is not used in contexts involving preliminary versions.
The term draft is also used in American English to describe the process or result of selecting individuals from a group, as in a military draft or a sports draft. Draught has no equivalent usage in this context.
In the game of chess, the piece known as a rook is sometimes colloquially called a "draught" in British English, a usage not seen with the American English "draft".
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A current of air; beer served from a keg.
Preliminary version of writing; selection process.
Common Usage
British English for currents of air and beer serving.
American English for air currents, preliminary versions, and selections.
Non-Physical Context
Not applicable.
Used to describe early versions of documents or plans.
Related to Selection
Not used in this context.
Commonly used for selecting individuals, e.g., military or sports drafts.
Example in Sentence
A cold draught swept through the room.
He reviewed the first draft of his novel.
Compare with Definitions
Draught
A game played on a checkered board; British term for checkers.
They spent the afternoon playing draughts in the park.
Draft
A preliminary version of a piece of writing.
The author submitted an initial draft of her article.
Draught
A current of cool air in a room or other enclosed space.
She felt a chilly draught from the old window.
Draft
A plan or preliminary sketch.
She drew up a draft of the new garden layout.
Draught
Beer served from a barrel or cask, not from a bottle or can.
He prefers the taste of draught beer to that of bottled.
Draft
The selection of individuals from a group, as in military or sports.
His number was called in the first round of the draft.
Draught
The depth of water needed to float a ship.
The ship has a draught of twenty feet.
Draft
A current of air in an enclosed space.
He felt a draft coming through the cracks in the door.
Draught
The act of pulling a load, as with draught animals.
The horse was used for draught in the farm.
Draft
The action or method of pulling boats or loads.
The mules were harnessed to the canal boat for draft.
Draught
A current of cool air in a room or other confined space
Heavy curtains at the windows cut out draughts
Draft
A current of air in an enclosed area.
Draught
A single act of drinking or inhaling
She downed the remaining beer in one draught
Draft
A device that regulates the flow or circulation of air.
Draught
The depth of water needed to float a ship
The shallow draught enabled her to get close inshore
Draft
The act of pulling loads; traction.
Draught
The drawing in of a fishing net.
Draft
Something that is pulled or drawn; a load.
Draught
Denoting beer or cider served from a barrel or tank rather than from a bottle or can
Draught ale
Draft
A team of animals used to pull loads.
Draught
Denoting an animal used for pulling heavy loads
A draught horse
Draft
(Nautical)The depth of a vessel's keel below the water line, especially when loaded
A river vessel of shallow draft.
Draught
Variant of draft.
Draft
A heavy demand on resources.
Draught
In its various senses.
Draft
A written order directing the payment of money from an account or fund.
Draught
(British) A checker: a game piece used in the game of draughts.
Draft
A gulp, swallow, or inhalation.
Draught
(Australia) Ale: a type of beer brewed using top-fermenting yeast.
Draft
The amount taken in by a single act of drinking or inhaling.
Draught
A mild vesicatory.
Draft
A measured portion; a dose.
Draught
(obsolete) An outhouse: an outbuilding used as a lavatory.
Draft
The drawing of a liquid, as from a cask or keg.
Draught
Any picture or drawing.
Draft
An amount drawn
Ordered two drafts of ale.
Draught
A sudden attack upon an enemy.
Draft
The process or method of selecting one or more individuals from a group, as for a service or duty
A candidate who did not pursue the nomination, but accepted a draft by the party convention.
Draught
(UK) draft
Draft
Compulsory enrollment in the armed forces; conscription.
Draught
The act of drawing or pulling
A general custom of using oxen for all sort of draught would be, perhaps, the greatest improvement.
Draft
A body of people selected or conscripted.
Draught
The drawing of a bowstring.
She sent an arrow forth with mighty draught.
Draft
(Sports)A system in which the exclusive rights to new players are distributed among professional teams.
Draught
That which is drawn
Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
He laid down his pipe, and cast his net, which brought him a very great draught.
Draft
The act of drawing in a fishing net.
Draught
Act of drawing a net; a sweeping the water for fish.
Upon the draught of a pond, not one fish was left.
Draft
The quantity of fish caught.
Draught
The force drawn; a detachment; - in this sense usually written draft.
Disguise thyself as thou wilt, still, Slavery, . . . still thou art a bitter draught.
Low lies that house where nut-brown draughts inspired.
Draft
Any of various stages in the development of a plan, document, or picture
A preliminary draft of a report.
The final draft of a paper.
Draught
That which draws
Draft
A representation of something to be constructed.
Draught
The act of drawing liquor into the mouth and throat; the act of drinking.
In his hands he took the goblet, but a while the draught forbore.
Draft
A narrow line chiseled on a stone to guide a stonecutter in leveling its surface.
Draught
A sketch, outline, or representation, whether written, designed, or drawn; a delineation.
A draught of a Toleration Act was offered to the Parliament by a private member.
No picture or draught of these things from the report of the eye.
Draft
A slight taper given a die to facilitate the removal of a casting.
Draught
Capacity of being drawn; force necessary to draw; traction.
The Hertfordshire wheel plow . . . is of the easiest draught.
Draft
An allowance made for loss in weight of merchandise.
Draught
A sudden attack or drawing upon an enemy.
By drawing sudden draughts upon the enemy when he looketh not for you.
Draft
To select from a group for some usually compulsory service
Drafted into the army.
Draught
An order for the payment of money; - in this sense almost always written draft.
He preferred to go and sit upon the stairs, in . . . a strong draught of air, until he was again sent for.
Draft
To select from a group for placement on a sports team.
Draught
The depth of water necessary to float a ship, or the depth a ship sinks in water, especially when laden; as, a ship of twelve feet draught.
Draft
To draw up a preliminary version of or plan for.
Draught
An allowance on weighable goods. [Eng.] See Draft, 4.
Draft
To create by thinking and writing; compose
Draft a speech.
Draught
A move, as at chess or checkers.
Draft
To work as a drafter.
Draught
The bevel given to the pattern for a casting, in order that it may be drawn from the sand without injury to the mold.
Draft
To move, ride, or drive close behind a fast-moving object so as to take advantage of the slipstream, especially in a race.
Draught
Used for drawing vehicles, loads, etc.; as, a draught beast; draught hooks.
Draft
Suited for or used for drawing heavy loads
Oxen and other draft animals.
Draught
Relating to, or characterized by, a draft, or current of air.
Draft
Drawn from a cask or tap
Draft beer.
Draught
Used in making drawings; as, draught compasses.
Draft
(US spelling) A current of air, usually coming into a room or vehicle.
Draught
Drawn directly from the barrel, or other receptacle, in distinction from bottled; on draught; - said of ale, cider, and the like.
Draft
(US spelling) The draw through a flue of gasses (smoke) resulting from a combustion process.
Draught
To draw out; to call forth. See Draft.
Draft
(US spelling) An act of drinking.
Draught
To diminish or exhaust by drawing.
The Parliament so often draughted and drained.
Draft
(US spelling) The quantity of liquid (such as water, alcohol, or medicine) drunk in one swallow.
To drink at a draft
She took a deep draft from the bottle of water.
Draught
To draw in outline; to make a draught, sketch, or plan of, as in architectural and mechanical drawing.
Draft
(US spelling) A dose (of medicine, alcohol, etc.).
Draught
A serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg;
They served beer on draft
Draft
(US spelling) Liquid, especially beer or other alcohol, drawn from a cask or keg rather than a bottle or can.
Draught
A large and hurried swallow;
He finished it at a single gulp
Draft
The depth of water needed to float a particular ship; the depth from the waterline to the bottom of a vessel's hull; the depth of water drawn by a vessel.
Draught
A current of air (usually coming into a room or vehicle)
Draft
An early version of a written work (such as a book or e-mail) or drawing.
I have to revise the first draft of my term paper.
His first drafts were better than most authors' final products.
Draught
The depth of a vessel's keel below the surface (especially when loaded)
Draft
A preliminary sketch or outline for a plan.
Draught
A dose of liquid medicine;
He took a sleeping draft
Draft
A cheque, an order for money to be paid.
Draught
The act of moving a load by drawing or pulling
Draft
Conscription, the system of forcing people to serve in the military.
He left the country to avoid the draft.
Draught
Make a blueprint of
Draft
A system of forcing or convincing people to take an elected position.
Draft
A system of assigning rookie players to professional sports teams.
Draft
The pulling force (tension) on couplers and draft gear during a slack stretched condition.
Draft
The bevel given to the pattern for a casting, so that it can be drawn from the sand without damaging the mould.
Draft
The action or an act (especially of a beast of burden or vehicle) of pulling something along or back.
Using oxen for draft
Shot forth an arrow with a mighty draft
Draft
The act of drawing in a net for fish.
Draft
That which is drawn in; a catch, a haul.
He cast his net, which brought him a very great draft.
Draft
A quantity that is requisitioned or drawn out from a larger population.
Draft
(transitive) To write a first version, make a preliminary sketch.
Draft
To draw in outline; to make a draught, sketch, or plan of, as in architectural and mechanical drawing.
Draft
To write a law.
Draft
To conscript a person, force a person to serve in some capacity, especially in the military.
He was drafted during the Vietnam War.
Draft
To select someone (or something) for a particular role or purpose.
There was a campaign to draft Smith to run for President.
They drafted me to be the chairperson of the new committee.
Draft
To select and separate an animal or animals from a group.
The calves were drafted from the cows.
Draft
To select a rookie player onto a professional sports team.
After his last year of college football, he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins.
Draft
(ambitransitive) To follow very closely (behind another vehicle), thereby providing an aerodynamic advantage to both lead and follower and conserving energy or increasing speed.
Draft
To draw out; to call forth.
Draft
To draw fibers out of a clump, for spinning in the production of yarn.
Draft
(not comparable) Referring to drinks on tap, in contrast to bottled.
I'd rather have a fresh, cheap draft beer.
Draft
Referring to animals used for pulling heavy loads.
A Clydesdale is a draft horse.
Draft
The act of drawing; also, the thing drawn. Same as Draught.
Everything available for draft burden.
Draft
A selecting or detaching of soldiers from an army, or from any part of it, or from a military post; also from any district, or any company or collection of persons, or from the people at large; also, the body of men thus drafted.
Several of the States had supplied the deficiency by drafts to serve for the year.
Draft
An order from one person or party to another, directing the payment of money; a bill of exchange.
I thought it most prudent to defer the drafts till advice was received of the progress of the loan.
Draft
An allowance or deduction made from the gross weight of goods.
Draft
A drawing of lines for a plan; a plan delineated, or drawn in outline; a delineation. See Draught.
Draft
The form of any writing as first drawn up; the first rough sketch of written composition, to be filled in, or completed. See Draught.
Draft
A narrow border left on a finished stone, worked differently from the rest of its face.
Draft
The slant given to the furrows in the dress of a millstone.
Draft
Depth of water necessary to float a ship. See Draught.
Draft
A current of air. Same as Draught.
Draft
A quantity of liquid poured out for drinking; a dose.
Draft
The act of drawing a quantity of liquid from a large container; also, the quantity of liquid so drawn.
Draft
A device for regulating the flow of gases in a chimney, stovepipe, fireplace, etc.; as, to close the chimney draft. It is usually a flat plate of the same internal dimensions as the flue, which can be rotated to be parallel to or perpendicular to the current of gases.
Draft
Pertaining to, or used for, drawing or pulling (as vehicles, loads, etc.). Same as Draught; as, a draft horse.
Draft
Relating to, or characterized by, a draft, or current of air. Same as Draught.
Draft
To draw the outline of; to delineate.
Draft
To compose and write; as, to draft a memorial.
Draft
To draw from a military band or post, or from any district, company, or society; to detach; to select; especially, to compulsorily select and induct members of a population to serve in the armed forces.
HotLips Houlihan: How did a degenerate person like him achieve such a position of responsibility in the army?Radar: He was drafted.
Some royal seminary in Upper Egypt, from whence they drafted novices to supply their colleges and temples.
Draft
To transfer by draft.
All her rents been drafted to London.
Draft
A document ordering the payment of money; drawn by one person or bank on another
Draft
A current of air (usually coming into a room or vehicle)
Draft
A preliminary sketch of a design or picture
Draft
A serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg;
They served beer on draft
Draft
Preliminary version of a written work
Draft
The depth of a vessel's keel below the surface (especially when loaded)
Draft
A regulator for controlling the flow of air in a fireplace
Draft
A dose of liquid medicine;
He took a sleeping draft
Draft
Compulsory military service
Draft
A large and hurried swallow;
He finished it at a single gulp
Draft
The act of moving a load by drawing or pulling
Draft
Draw up an outline or sketch for something;
Draft a speech
Draft
Engage somebody to enter the army
Draft
Make a blueprint of
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between draught and draft?
Draught generally refers to a current of air or beer served from a barrel, primarily in British English. Draft refers to a preliminary version of a document or the process of selecting individuals, commonly in American English.
What does draft mean in a military context?
In a military context, a draft is the compulsory enlistment of individuals into the armed forces.
Is there a physical tool called a draught?
No, draught does not refer to a physical tool but may refer to draught animals used for pulling loads.
Can draught and draft be used interchangeably?
They are not generally interchangeable due to different contextual meanings and regional usage.
What does draught mean in chess?
In chess, draught sometimes colloquially refers to the rook, though this is more commonly known in the game of checkers in British English.
How does the usage of draught and draft vary by region?
Draught is predominantly British English, used for air currents and beer, while draft is American English, used for preliminary documents, selection processes, and air currents.
What type of draft is involved in writing?
A writing draft involves creating a preliminary version of a piece that will be revised and refined.
Is draught used in American English?
Draught is less common in American English, where "draft" is preferred for most of the same meanings.
How is draft used in sports?
In sports, a draft is the process of selecting players from a pool of eligible candidates, often used in professional leagues.
What is a draft in writing?
A draft in writing is an initial or preliminary version of a manuscript, article, or any written document.
Can draft mean pulling a load?
Yes, draft can also refer to the action or system of pulling a load, similar to draught.
What is the relevance of draught in nautical contexts?
In nautical contexts, draught refers to the minimum depth of water a ship requires to float.
Is draught ever used in American sporting contexts?
No, in American sporting contexts, the term draft is used, particularly referring to player selection processes.
What does draught mean in terms of beer?
Draught beer refers to beer that is served from a barrel or cask rather than from a bottle or can.
Can draft be used to describe a version of a software?
Yes, draft can describe a preliminary version of software, intended for testing and feedback.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
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Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
