drab
1dull; cheerless; lacking in spirit, brightness, etc.
having the color drab.
dull gray; dull brownish or yellowish gray.
any of several fabrics of this color, especially of thick wool or cotton.
Origin of drab
1Other words from drab
- drably, adverb
- drabness, noun
Other definitions for drab (2 of 2)
a dirty, untidy woman; slattern.
a prostitute.
to associate with drabs.
Origin of drab
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use drab in a sentence
Leeks and fresh dill take cozy split pea soup from drab to fabWhile fresh dill is essential to this recipe, the rest is open to interpretation.
Calling all dill lovers: This old-school ham salad sandwich is for you | Ann Maloney | January 26, 2021 | Washington PostThis no-frills set comes in a range of jovial colors that can lift even the drabbest patios, and is rust-resistant, ensuring it will last against the elements.
Small patio sets that maximize your outdoor space | PopSci Commerce Team | January 13, 2021 | Popular-ScienceAfter what felt like an eon, I lifted my head to find that the once drab badlands were suddenly awash in color.
I Saw an Epic Sunset at Badlands National Park | Emily Pennington | November 3, 2020 | Outside OnlineAfter the drabness of the 1950s, her clothes were chic and slightly transgressive, but not haute couture.
I want to sit on its benches again in spite of their treacherous bleakness, in spite of the drabness.
My Wonderful Visit | Charlie Chaplin
The loneliness and drabness of working away from people are fatal to his best effort.
How to Analyze People on Sight | Elsie Lincoln Benedict and Ralph Paine BenedictOnly we, slaves of respectability and of an inordinate appetite for order, suffered such monotony and drabness to rule.
Painted Windows | Elia W. PeattieLittle ridges of tiny blue flames, to speed up the drying of the ink, made blobs of color in the drabness.
Joan of the Journal | Helen Diehl OldsThere were, it is true, a few redeeming features gilding the prevailing drabness of the scene.
The Gypsy's Parson | George Hall
British Dictionary definitions for drab (1 of 2)
/ (dræb) /
dull; dingy; shabby
cheerless; dreary: a drab evening
of the colour drab
a light olive-brown colour
a fabric of a dull grey or brown colour
Origin of drab
1Derived forms of drab
- drably, adverb
- drabness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for drab (2 of 2)
/ (dræb) archaic /
a slatternly woman
a whore
(intr) to consort with prostitutes
Origin of drab
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with 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.
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