drab

1
[ drab ]
/ dræb /

adjective, drab·ber, drab·best.

dull; cheerless; lacking in spirit, brightness, etc.
having the color drab.

noun

dull gray; dull brownish or yellowish gray.
any of several fabrics of this color, especially of thick wool or cotton.

Origin of drab

1
1535–45; < Middle French drap < Late Latin drappus piece of cloth

OTHER WORDS FROM drab

drab·ly, adverb drab·ness, noun

Definition for drab (2 of 2)

drab 2
[ drab ]
/ dræb /

noun

a dirty, untidy woman; slattern.
a prostitute.

verb (used without object), drabbed, drab·bing.

to associate with drabs.

Origin of drab

2
1505–15; perhaps akin to Dutch drab dregs, lees, obsolete Dutch drablen to run or tramp about; cf. drabble, draff

Example sentences from the Web for drab

British Dictionary definitions for drab (1 of 2)

drab 1
/ (dræb) /

adjective drabber or drabbest

dull; dingy; shabby
cheerless; dreary a drab evening
of the colour drab

noun

a light olive-brown colour
a fabric of a dull grey or brown colour

Derived forms of drab

drably, adverb drabness, noun

Word Origin for drab

C16: from Old French drap cloth, from Late Latin drappus, perhaps of Celtic origin

British Dictionary definitions for drab (2 of 2)

drab 2
/ (dræb) archaic /

noun

a slatternly woman
a whore

verb drabs, drabbing or drabbed

(intr) to consort with prostitutes

Word Origin for drab

C16: of Celtic origin; compare Scottish Gaelic drabag

Idioms and Phrases with drab

drab

see dribs and drabs.