adj
drab
drab
Drab (adj) means Dull and lacking in colour or interest. Example: “The office walls were painted a drab grey.”
adj
1
Dull and lacking in colour or interest.
"The office walls were painted a drab grey."
"It was a drab, rainy Monday."
noun
1
A dull brownish-yellow or grey colour, or cloth of that colour.
"The uniform was made of plain drab."
How to use drab
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDull, colourless, and a bit depressing to look at.
Common pairings
drab colour
drab surroundings
dull and drab
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Word forms
- Plural
- drabs
- Third person singular
- drabs
- Past tense
- drabbed
- Comparative
- drabber
- Superlative
- drabbest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The office walls were painted a _____ grey.
Etymology
Probably from Old French drap ("cloth"), the colour sense coming from the natural, undyed shade of the fabric.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for drab
See all rhymes for drab →Frequently asked questions
What does “drab” mean?
The word “drab” means dull and lacking in colour or interest. In plain terms, dull, colourless, and a bit depressing to look at.
How do you pronounce “drab”?
“Drab” is pronounced drab (/dɹæb/ in IPA).
How do you use “drab” in a sentence?
Here is “drab” used in a sentence: “The office walls were painted a drab grey.”
What part of speech is “drab”?
Depending on how it is used, “drab” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “drab” come from?
The word “drab” comes from Old French. Probably from Old French drap ("cloth"), the colour sense coming from the natural, undyed shade of the fabric.
How many meanings does “drab” have?
“Drab” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dull and lacking in colour or interest.
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