What does withdrawn mean?
Withdrawn is most commonly used as an adjective for a person who is reserved, quiet, or reluctant to engage socially. It can describe a personality, as in a withdrawn child, or a temporary state, as in someone who becomes withdrawn under stress. The word also has practical meanings: a product may be withdrawn from sale, a document may be withdrawn from circulation, and funds may be withdrawn from an account. As the past participle of withdraw, it indicates that an action of moving back, removing, or retracting has been completed. Although withdrawn can imply deliberate social retreat, its broader senses usually emphasize separation or removal. The word is understood in both British and American English, with minor differences in pronunciation. Its historical connection to physically drawing something away gives it a useful figurative range, covering both emotional retreat and administrative or material removal.
Reserved, quiet, or unsociable; also, removed from public use, circulation, or availability.
"The withdrawn product was returned to the manufacturer after a safety recall."
The social sense is the dominant everyday use. The removal sense is especially common in formal and administrative contexts.
Past participle of withdraw, indicating that someone or something has moved back, been removed, or been retracted.
"The committee has withdrawn its proposal after receiving further information."
Use withdrawn with a subject or auxiliary that makes the perfect or passive construction clear, such as has withdrawn, was withdrawn, or had been withdrawn.
Withdrawn began with the literal idea of drawing something away; over time, the word came to describe a person who retreats from social contact.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does withdrawn come from?
Withdrawn developed from the English verb withdraw, which originally meant to draw back or away and is related to draw through the Old English word dragan. The form withdrawn is a participial derivative formed by adding the ending -en to withdraw. Its development produced both the adjective sense of being socially reserved and the participial sense of having been removed or retracted.
How withdrawn is actually used
When describing a person, withdrawn can sound neutral but may imply unusual or excessive reserve. When describing a product, service, or document, it commonly means no longer available, valid, or part of public circulation.
Easily confused with withdrawn
Withdrawn is the past participle and adjective form of withdraw, whereas withdraw is the base form of the verb.