What does draughtiness mean?
Draughtiness is a noun for the quality or condition of being draughty: admitting or being filled with currents of cold air. It is especially used of rooms, houses, offices, trains, and other enclosed places where unwanted air movement makes a space uncomfortable. The word can imply a persistent rather than momentary chill, and “draughty” is often the more natural adjective in ordinary speech. British English uses draughtiness, while American English more commonly uses draftiness; both forms refer to the same condition. The term is useful when the focus is on a place's air currents, insulation, doors, windows, or seals rather than on one identifiable gust. Literary descriptions may also use the word to reinforce the cold or unwelcoming atmosphere of an old or poorly insulated building.
nounThe quality or state of being draughty, especially the condition of a room or other enclosed space in which currents of cold air cause discomfort.
- The quality of being draughty, especially in a room, building, vehicle, or other enclosed space.
"She closed the heavy curtains to lessen the draughtiness of the old parlour."
"She closed the heavy curtains to lessen the draughtiness of the old parlour."
"The survey identified the broken windows as the main source of the room's draughtiness."
Rare; draughtiness is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"The survey recorded distinct draughtinesses in the hall and the upstairs bedrooms."
Draughtiness names not one gust but a place's persistent talent for letting the cold in.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does draughtiness come from?
The word was formed within English by adding the suffix -ness to the adjective draughty. Draughty in turn derives from draught, a spelling of draft that remains common in British English and denotes a current of air. The two spellings later became characteristic of British and American usage respectively, producing the modern contrast between draughtiness and draftiness.
How draughtiness is actually used
Chiefly British and relatively uncommon even in British English; American English normally uses draftiness. The term is most natural when describing a persistent physical condition rather than a single current of air.
Easily confused with draughtiness
Draftiness is the standard North American spelling of the same word, whereas draughtiness is chiefly a British spelling.