drab
1[ drab ]
/ dræb /
adjective, drab·ber, drab·best.
dull; cheerless; lacking in spirit, brightness, etc.
having the color drab.
noun
dull gray; dull brownish or yellowish gray.
any of several fabrics of this color, especially of thick wool or cotton.
Nearby words
dr. pepper, dr. strangelove, dr. t., dr. zhivago, draa, drab, drabbet, drabble, drabble, margaret, dracaena, drachm
Origin of drab
11535–45; < Middle French drap < Late Latin drappus piece of cloth
Related formsdrab·ly, adverbdrab·ness, noun
Definition for drab (2 of 2)
drab
2[ drab ]
/ dræb /
noun
a dirty, untidy woman; slattern.
a prostitute.
verb (used without object), drabbed, drab·bing.
to associate with drabs.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for drab
British Dictionary definitions for drab (1 of 2)
drab
1/ (dræb) /
adjective drabber or drabbest
dull; dingy; shabby
cheerless; drearya drab evening
of the colour drab
noun
a light olive-brown colour
a fabric of a dull grey or brown colour
Derived Formsdrably, adverbdrabness, noun
Word Origin for drab
C16: from Old French drap cloth, from Late Latin drappus, perhaps of Celtic origin
British Dictionary definitions for drab (2 of 2)
drab
2/ (dræb) archaic /
noun
a slatternly woman
a whore
verb drabs, drabbing or drabbed
(intr) to consort with prostitutes
Word Origin for drab
C16: of Celtic origin; compare Scottish Gaelic drabag
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for drab
drab
1680s, "color of natural, undyed cloth," from Middle French drap (see drape (n.)). Figurative sense is c.1880. Apparently not related to earlier word meaning "a dirty, untidy woman" (1510s), "a prostitute" (1520s), which seems to be connected with Irish drabog, Gaelic drabag "dirty woman," and perhaps with Low German drabbe "dirt." Ultimately perhaps from PIE *dher- "to make muddy." Meaning "small, petty debt" (the sense in dribs and drabs) is 1828, of uncertain connection to the other senses.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with drab
drab
see dribs and drabs.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.