adj
droll
drohl
Droll (adj) means amusing in a dry, quirky, or understated way. Example: “He gave a droll response that made everyone chuckle.”
adj
1
Amusing in a dry, quirky, or understated way.
"He gave a droll response that made everyone chuckle."
"Her droll sense of humour caught me off guard."
How to use droll
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFunny in a quiet, offbeat way rather than loud or obvious.
When to use it
A slightly formal, literary word — more common in writing than casual speech.
Common pairings
a droll remark
droll wit
droll humour
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Word forms
- Plural
- drolls
- Third person singular
- drolls
- Past tense
- drolled
- Comparative
- droller
- Superlative
- drollest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave a _____ response that made everyone chuckle.
Etymology
From French drôle ("comical"), which traces back through Middle Dutch to an old word for a stout, funny-looking little man or goblin.
Related words
Rhymes for droll
See all rhymes for droll →Frequently asked questions
What does “droll” mean?
The word “droll” means amusing in a dry, quirky, or understated way. In plain terms, funny in a quiet, offbeat way rather than loud or obvious.
How do you pronounce “droll”?
“Droll” is pronounced drohl (/dɹoʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “droll” in a sentence?
Here is “droll” used in a sentence: “He gave a droll response that made everyone chuckle.”
What part of speech is “droll”?
“Droll” is an adjective.
Where does the word “droll” come from?
The word “droll” comes from French. From French drôle ("comical"), which traces back through Middle Dutch to an old word for a stout, funny-looking little man or goblin.
