drawl
[drawl]
- to say or speak in a slow manner, usually prolonging the vowels.
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- an act or utterance of a person who drawls.
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Origin of drawl
1590–1600; < Dutch or Low German dralen to linger
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for drawl
Contemporary Examples
David has a Southern drawl and charm that informs his character.
Dan Stevens Blows Up ‘Downton’: From Chubby-Cheeked Aristo to Lean, Mean American PsychoTim Teeman
September 19, 2014
Still, a tight-jawed smile, wild eyes and a southern California drawl remind me of Matthew McConaughey.
Boyd is tall and thickly muscled and speaks softly in a Piedmont drawl.
When the crew travels underwater, they discover a land where the mermen and merwomen speak a Southern American drawl.
So Richard would call and drawl, “So Legs ... uh ... how ya feeling?”
Historical Examples
He's harmless, with his drawl and his round pink face that shines with admiration.
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
You know his drawl, when his muscles give him the respectful hesitation.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
The drawl of the light voice with its rising inflection was only gently plaintive.
Southern Lights and ShadowsVarious
His voice was a drawl, very deliberate, very quiet, rather soft and pleasant.
ShavingsJoseph C. Lincoln
Mr. Winslow interrupted; his drawl was a trifle less evident.
ShavingsJoseph C. Lincoln
drawl
- to speak or utter (words) slowly, esp prolonging the vowel sounds
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- the way of speech of someone who drawls
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Word Origin
C16: probably frequentative of draw
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for drawl
v.
1590s, perhaps from Middle Dutch dralen, East Frisian draulen "to linger, delay," apparently an intensive of the root of draw (v.). Or else a native formation along the same lines. Related: Drawled; drawling. As a noun from 1760.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper