Draft vs. Working: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on September 26, 2023
A draft is a preliminary version of a piece of writing; working refers to performing tasks or functions. They differ in that one is a stage of completion, the other denotes action or functionality.
Key Differences
Draft and working are words with different meanings and applications. Draft refers to a preliminary version or sketch of a document, drawing, or plan that is not yet finalized. It is typically subject to revisions and edits, serving as a foundation for the final work. It embodies the initial thoughts, ideas, or designs that are molded and refined into the completed piece. The draft is the first step in the creative or developmental process, representing the raw, unpolished content or concept.
Conversely, working denotes the action of performing tasks or functions. It describes the state of being engaged in a productive activity, whether mental or physical. It encompasses a broad range of actions and operations, from working machinery to working on a project. The word working is versatile, describing the operational state of things, like a working model, or the actions of individuals, as in working hours. It represents the practical, active aspect of existence, focusing on function, effort, and productivity.
While a draft is static, a snapshot of ideas or concepts at a certain point, working is dynamic, indicating ongoing activity or operability. A draft is a noun, symbolizing the transient form of a creative or intellectual endeavor, whereas working can be an adjective, a verb, or a noun, representing the varied dimensions of labor, action, and functionality. Draft emphasizes the formative, conceptual stage of development, and working highlights the practical, active dimension of being and doing.
A draft is more specific, relating to the creation of documents, designs, or plans, serving as a conceptual framework. It is the starting point, the blueprint that guides the subsequent stages of refinement and finalization. Working, on the other hand, is more general and versatile, applicable to a diverse range of contexts and subjects. It is not confined to the developmental process of a document or design but extends to the myriad ways in which things and people operate, act, or function.
The difference between draft and working lies in their essence: one encapsulates the initial, conceptual phase of creation, and the other embodies the active, operational facet of existence. Draft is a reflection of potential, the seed from which the final product grows, and working is the manifestation of capability and action, the realization of purpose and function.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A preliminary version of a document or plan.
The action of performing tasks or functions.
Part of Speech
Noun
Adjective, Verb, or Noun
Application
Specific to documents, plans, or designs.
Broad, relates to actions, states, or functions.
Nature
Static, represents a stage of completion.
Dynamic, denotes action or functionality.
Context
Related to creation and development processes.
Applicable to a variety of operational contexts.
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Draft and Working Definitions
Draft
A preliminary version of a writing or drawing.
The author completed the initial draft of her novel.
Working
Engaged in labor or exertion.
She has been working hard all day.
Draft
The depth of water a ship needs to float.
The boat had a shallow draft, allowing it to navigate close to shore.
Working
Functioning or operating.
The machine is now working properly.
Draft
A current of air in a closed-in space.
The draft from the window chilled the room.
Working
Adequate for practical use.
We developed a working prototype of the device.
Draft
A current of air in an enclosed area.
Working
Performing work
A working committee.
Draft
A device that regulates the flow or circulation of air.
Working
Operating or functioning as required
A working flashlight.
Draft
The act of pulling loads; traction.
Working
Having a paying job; employed
Working mothers.
Draft
Something that is pulled or drawn; a load.
Working
Spent at work
A working life of 40 years.
Draft
A team of animals used to pull loads.
Working
Taken while continuing to work
A working vacation.
Draft
(Nautical)The depth of a vessel's keel below the water line, especially when loaded
A river vessel of shallow draft.
Working
Sufficient to allow action
A working majority.
Draft
A heavy demand on resources.
Working
Adequate for practical use
A working knowledge of Spanish.
Draft
A written order directing the payment of money from an account or fund.
Working
Serving as a basis or guide for further work
A working hypothesis.
Draft
A gulp, swallow, or inhalation.
Working
The manner in which something operates or functions
The workings of the mind.
Draft
The amount taken in by a single act of drinking or inhaling.
Working
The parts of a mine or quarry that have been or are being excavated.
Draft
A measured portion; a dose.
Working
Operation; action.
Draft
The drawing of a liquid, as from a cask or keg.
Working
Method of operation.
Draft
An amount drawn
Ordered two drafts of ale.
Working
(arithmetic) The incidental or subsidiary calculations performed in solving an overall problem.
Be sure to check your working.
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.
Working
Fermentation.
Draft
Compulsory enrollment in the armed forces; conscription.
Working
(of bodies of water) Becoming full of a vegetable substance.
Draft
A body of people selected or conscripted.
Working
A place where work is carried on.
The abandoned mine workings
Draft
(Sports)A system in which the exclusive rights to new players are distributed among professional teams.
Working
(countable) A train movement.
Draft
The act of drawing in a fishing net.
Working
Present participle of work
Leave him alone; he’s working.
Draft
The quantity of fish caught.
Working
That is or are functioning.
A working ventilator
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.
Working
That suffices but requires additional work.
A working copy of the script
Draft
A representation of something to be constructed.
Working
In paid employment.
Working mothers
Draft
A narrow line chiseled on a stone to guide a stonecutter in leveling its surface.
Working
Of or relating to employment.
The working week
Draft
A slight taper given a die to facilitate the removal of a casting.
Working
Enough to allow one to use something.
Draft
An allowance made for loss in weight of merchandise.
Working
Used in real life; practical.
The working minimum focus distance is the distance from the closest focusable subject to the lens.
Draft
To select from a group for some usually compulsory service
Drafted into the army.
Working
(obsolete) Efficacious.
Draft
To select from a group for placement on a sports team.
Working
A mine or quarry that is being or has been worked
Draft
To draw up a preliminary version of or plan for.
Working
Actively engaged in paid work;
The working population
The ratio of working men to unemployed
A working mother
Robots can be on the job day and night
Draft
To create by thinking and writing; compose
Draft a speech.
Working
Adequate for practical use; especially sufficient in strength or numbers to accomplish something;
The party has a working majority in the House
A working knowledge of Spanish
Draft
To work as a drafter.
Working
Adopted as a temporary basis for further work;
A working draft
A working hypothesis
Draft
To move, ride, or drive close behind a fast-moving object so as to take advantage of the slipstream, especially in a race.
Working
(of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing;
In running (or working) order
A functional set of brakes
Draft
Suited for or used for drawing heavy loads
Oxen and other draft animals.
Working
Serving to permit or facilitate further work or activity;
Discussed the working draft of a peace treaty
They need working agreements with their neighbor states on interstate projects
Draft
Drawn from a cask or tap
Draft beer.
Working
The process of shaping, elaborating, or assembling materials.
The artist spent days on the working of the sculpture.
Draft
(US spelling) A current of air, usually coming into a room or vehicle.
Working
Employed at tasks.
The working population is growing steadily.
Draft
(US spelling) The draw through a flue of gasses (smoke) resulting from a combustion process.
Draft
(US spelling) An act of drinking.
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.
Draft
(US spelling) A dose (of medicine, alcohol, etc.).
Draft
(US spelling) Liquid, especially beer or other alcohol, drawn from a cask or keg rather than a bottle or can.
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.
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.
Draft
A preliminary sketch or outline for a plan.
Draft
A cheque, an order for money to be paid.
Draft
Conscription, the system of forcing people to serve in the military.
He left the country to avoid the draft.
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
Draft
A drawing in or pulling of a net.
The fishermen brought in a large draft of fish.
Draft
The act of selecting or making a draft.
The army conscripted new recruits through the draft.
FAQs
Is a Draft final?
Typically, no. A draft is a preliminary version and is subject to revisions.
Can a Draft be edited?
Yes, drafts are typically edited and revised multiple times before finalization.
Does Draft always imply future changes?
Generally, yes, as drafts are preliminary versions meant for review and refinement.
Is the term Working used in the context of time?
Yes, as in ‘working hours’, referring to the time period when one is expected to work.
Can the word Working be used as a noun?
Yes, working can be a noun as in ‘the working of machinery’.
Is Working always related to functionality?
Often, but it can also describe being engaged in labor or having employment.
Is a Draft always related to writing?
No, draft can refer to preliminary versions of drawings, plans, and even to air currents and selection processes.
Can a Draft be published?
It can be, but it is usually revised and finalized before official publication.
Does Working only refer to employment?
No, working can refer to any action or functioning, not just employment-related tasks.
Is Working only related to manual labor?
No, working can relate to any form of labor, manual, intellectual, or otherwise.
Can a machine be described as Working?
Yes, a machine can be described as working if it is functioning or operating correctly.
Can a Draft exist in different forms?
Yes, a draft can exist as a written document, a sketch, a design, or a plan.
Can Working describe a theory?
Yes, a theory can be described as working if it is currently accepted or adequate for practical use.
Is the first Draft usually the shortest?
Not necessarily; the length of the first draft can vary depending on the creator’s approach.
Is a Draft shared with others?
It can be, especially for feedback and revisions, but it is not a strict requirement.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
