draught of water

USAGE SUMMARY

"draught of water" is an appropriate and usable term in written English.
You can use it when referring to a large amount of water, i.e. after a long hike, he enjoyed a much needed draught of water.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Two unframed glass doors, each as clean and fresh as a long draught of water, flank the wall that bisects the apartment and function like huge open windows.

The New York Times

You would turn around from forcibly administering a lifesaving draught of water to one child, only to find that another child had become so thirsty that it was actually desiccated, and could be transported in this handy lightweight format until needed – at which point it could be restored to its original form by soaking overnight.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The vertical-jet style of drinking fountain encouraged many people, eager to imbibe the full draught of water they were used to, to put their lips directly on top of the spigot, which was almost as unsanitary as using a common cup.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Leaving the door of his bedroom open until a late hour, he gave the privilege of speaking with him to all who wished to come in. 2 After that, quenching his thirst with a draught of cold water, he caught up two daggers, and having tried the point of both of them, put one under his pillow.

University of Chicago

The cause, according to Aretaeus, was sometimes either another chronic disease or even consuming "a copious draught of cold water".

Wikipedia

Draught, defining the minimum depth of water a vessel can operate, is an important factor for navigating and routing vessels while avoiding shallow water pathways.

IPSJ Transactions on Computer Vision and Applications

When Beyoncé did it, losing the equivalent of a small child in body weight for the film Dreamgirls, she also drank laxative tea every night and a draught of lukewarm sea-salt water in the morning.

The Guardian - Opinion

For the moment, however, I will order the hot buffalo wings with ranch dressing (which I will no doubt regret) from an establishment nearby, along with a sleeping draught of valerian drops in water; thus do we vainly attempt to forestall our ancient enemy, time.

The New Yorker

Experimental rhinitis was induced by placing rats in a swimming pool with cold water, followed by a draught of cool air.

Clinical Phytoscience

I stepped back and went to the physics of water and from there to my own experience of how the properties of water are connected to floods, draughts, and even dams.

Vice

(1980) is modified to consider the three aspects: the finite draught of ships, the local steady velocity, and the shape above still-water-level (SWL).

Ocean Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "draught of water" to evoke a sense of substantial and satisfying consumption, especially after exertion or in situations where water is scarce. It is more descriptive than simply "drink of water".

Common error

Avoid confusing "draught", meaning a quantity of liquid, with "draft", which has multiple meanings including a preliminary version or conscription. "Draught of water" specifically refers to drinking water.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draught of water" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a prepositional phrase acting as the object of a verb (often implied, such as 'took' or 'consumed'). Ludwig confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "draught of water" is a grammatically sound and somewhat literary phrase used to describe drinking a substantial quantity of water. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, though its usage is relatively rare in contemporary writing. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news reports to academic descriptions. While alternatives like "gulp of water" or "swig of water" exist, "draught of water" provides a more evocative and descriptive option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gulp of water

Replaces "draught" with "gulp", suggesting a quicker, more forceful consumption.

swig of water

Uses "swig" instead of "draught", implying a casual and informal consumption.

mouthful of water

Focuses on the quantity taken in one instance; changes the emphasis from satisfying thirst to the amount consumed.

drink of water

Simplifies the phrase, using a more common and general term for consuming water.

portion of water

Emphasizes the amount of water consumed.

serving of water

Implies the water is being offered or provided, as one would serve a drink.

supply of water

Shifts the focus to the availability of water, rather than the act of drinking it.

infusion of water

Implies adding water to something.

absorption of water

Focuses on the process of the water being taken in.

dose of water

Suggests water is taken in as treatment or remedy.

FAQs

How can I use "draught of water" in a sentence?

You can use "draught of water" to describe drinking a substantial amount of water, especially when thirsty. For example, "After the marathon, the runner enjoyed a long draught of water."

What can I say instead of "draught of water"?

You can use alternatives like "gulp of water", "swig of water", or "drink of water" depending on the context.

Is "draught of water" the same as "draft of water"?

No, "draught" refers to a drink or portion of liquid, while "draft" can refer to a preliminary version of something or the depth of a ship below the waterline. Using "draft" instead of "draught" would be incorrect in this context.

When is it appropriate to use "draught of water" instead of "drink of water"?

"Draught of water" implies a larger, more satisfying quantity of water consumed, often when extremely thirsty. "Drink of water" is a more general term. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.