drawl

American  

[drawl] / drɔl /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to say or speak in a slow manner, usually prolonging the vowels.

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noun

1. an act or utterance of a person who drawls.

drawl British  

/ drɔːl /

verb

1. to speak or utter (words) slowly, esp prolonging the vowel sounds

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noun

1. the way of speech of someone who drawls

Other Word Forms

• drawler noun
• drawling adjective
• drawlingly adverb
• drawlingness noun
• drawly adjective

Etymology

Origin of drawl

1590–1600; < Dutch or Low German dralen to linger

Explanation

A drawl is a distinctively slow, drawn-out way of talking that's especially common in the U.S. South. A writer might describe a cowboy as speaking in a lazy drawl. A drawl tends to lengthen and extend vowel sounds in particular, so that words like "pet" or "pen" might be pronounced with two syllables, rather than one short one. While the Southern states are best known for inhabitants with drawls, Australian and New Zealand natives are also sometimes said to drawl. The word probably stems from the Dutch dralen, "delay" or "linger."

Example Sentences

Patricia Eddings, an expert in trace evidence, is short, with fiery red hair and a cheery Mississippi drawl.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

The simple image, delivered with Lanier’s slight drawl, helped convince a majority of jurors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

In her best quotable moments, she seamlessly infuses her sometimes shrill timbre with a dash of Southern drawl.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Byrne has said she has a go-to phrase -- "Patty hired 24-hour security for Katie" -- when she finds herself struggling to summon the Yankee drawl.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

He spoke like somebody on television, his sharp, quick New York accent overlaying a slight Southern drawl.

From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals