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Glite Dictionary
to draw a large crowd

to draw a large crowd

1 2.6
To attract many people to watch a show or event
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : atraer a una gran multitud
  • The festival will draw a large crowd with its exciting lineup of music and food vendors.

Examples

  • ... how frequently Mr. Obama himself makes campaign appearances on college campuses, I wondered if he did so because... it's easier to draw a larger crowd.

    Blog text (4)

  • The 2008 reception drew a large crowd, which included members of Congress and their staffs and a number of top NSF officials, including Director Arden L. Bement Jr., Deputy Director Kathie L. Olsen, and Assistant Director for Biology James Collins.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Could it also be that it's easier to draw a larger crowd on a college campus, with most students having more flexibility than working adults?

    Blog text (4)

  • The fairs have been educational, but offering free flu shots and conducting a blood drive with the American Red Cross could draw a larger crowd.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Sometimes a women's dance contest, featuring the latest risqué dance step, will be held in the afternoon to draw a larger crowd.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The product drew a large crowd and lots of interest, according to Doug Marren, architectural business manager of Americas for advanced interlayers.

    Blog text (29)

  • Public demonstrations often draw a large crowd when they address important social issues.

  • The new movie is expected to draw a large crowd at the opening night premiere.

Synonyms

to draw a crowd
vsto draw a large crowd
12 3.5

Attract many people to watch or listen

is the identical meaning but in a slightly longer form
to draw in
vsto draw a large crowd
8 3.6

Attract people or attention

focuses specifically on attracting many spectators rather than general attention

Antonyms

to disperse
104 4.4

To cause people and things, like a crowd or fog, to spread over a wide area

to repel
21 4.2

Make someone or something move back and stay away, often by using force

How Big

to draw a large crowd
1 2.6

Surface Forms

draw a large crowd infinitive
drawing a large crowd present participle
draws a large crowd third person singular
drew a large crowd past
drawn a large crowd past participle

Morphology

draw + a + large + crowd

The meaning 'to attract a large number of people' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'draw' (to pull in/attract) with 'large' + 'crowd' (many people). This is a standard verb + noun-phrase compositional pattern common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Draw a large crowd uses draw in the old sense 'to pull' and crowd for many people, so imagine a performer or a big event that seems to pull people together. That's why it means 'to attract a large number of people'.