English Reference
verb · adjective

drafted

v. · adj.
US /ˈdɹæftɪd/ UK /dɹˈɑːftɪd/ draft·ed

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.wrote the first version of a document or plan.

    v.prepared a preliminary version of a text, document, or legislative bill.

    Simple

    She drafted the email on Monday but waited until Tuesday to send it.

    In context

    The legal team drafted the initial contract over the weekend, ensuring all liability clauses were clearly defined before the negotiation began.

    finalisedcompleted
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    v.ordered by the government to join the military.

    v.conscripted into military service by official mandate.

    Simple

    My grandfather was drafted into the army during the war.

    In context

    Thousands of young men were drafted into service during the conflict, fundamentally altering the demographic makeup of the workforce for a generation.

    Usage

    often used in the passive voice: 'to be drafted'.

    conscriptedenlisted
  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate American English Sport

    v.chosen by a professional sports team to play for them.

    v.selected as a player for a professional sports team through a formal draft process.

    Simple

    He was drafted by a famous basketball team right after college.

    In context

    The star quarterback was drafted in the first round, carrying the heavy expectations of a city desperate for a championship title.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    adj.describes how deep a ship sits in the water.

    adj.referring to the depth of water a vessel requires to float, typically used with modifiers like 'deep' or 'shallow'.

    Simple

    The ship was deeply drafted and could not enter the shallow harbour.

    In context

    Because the vessel was so deeply drafted when fully loaded, the captain had to wait for high tide to navigate the estuary safely.

    Usage

    usually follows a modifier like 'deeply' or 'shallowly'.

It is a pitiable thing.” A Paris-born heir to the European banking fortune, Rothschild—known as Jimmy—had returned from his home in London in July and been drafted into the French Army as a clerk.

Smithsonian Magazine· 1 Sept 2026

Olivia Woolhouse as Hermione Quinque, drafted in to play Juliet in court, is becoming a star of the SJT stage in this, her third production at the venue.

The Guardian· 11 Sept 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated