drab
drab
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "drab" is:
/dræb/ (Traditional IPA)
/drɑb/ (Modern IPA)
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
d: voiced alveolar plosive (similar to the "d" in "dog")
r: voiced alveolar trill (a vibrating sound made with the tip of the tongue)
æ (Traditional IPA) / ɑ (Modern IPA):
Traditional: low front unrounded vowel (like the "a" in "cat")
Modern: low back rounded vowel (like the "a" in "father")
b: voiced bilabial plosive (similar to the "b" in "boy")
Note:
There are slight variations in pronunciation depending on dialect.
Word Form Variations
"Drab" is primarily used as an adjective and doesn't have many variations in form. Here's the breakdown:
Singular: drab
Plural: drab (since it describes a quality, it doesn't take a plural form)
Comparative: drabber
Superlative: drabbest
Less common archaic forms:
Noun: (rare) drab - a dirty, untidy woman (mostly obsolete)
Verb: (rare) drabbing, drabbed - to associate with prostitutes (extremely outdated)
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Adjective (most common):
Definition: Lacking in brightness, colour, or excitement; dull and monotonous.
Synonyms: boring, dreary, colourless, plain, uninteresting, gloomy, bleak, lacklustre.
Antonyms: vibrant, colourful, exciting, interesting, lively, stimulating, cheerful.
Noun (less common):
Definition 1 (dated): A dull greyish-brown or yellowish-brown colour.
Synonyms: olive drab, brownish-gray.
Antonyms: bright colour, vibrant hue.
Noun (archaic, rarely used):
Definition 2 (obsolete): A dirty, untidy woman. (Not recommended due to outdated and potentially offensive nature)
Synonyms: (avoid using)
Antonyms: (avoid using)
Verb (archaic, extremely rare):
Definition: To associate with prostitutes.
Synonyms: (avoid using)
Antonyms: (avoid using)
Note: The noun and verb forms of "drab" are rarely used in modern English. The adjective form referring to lack of colour or excitement is the most common usage.
Examples of Use
Literature:
"The house had a drab and neglected air, the paint peeling from the window frames and the flower beds choked with weeds." (Jane Austen, "Pride and Prejudice")
Newspapers:
"The new mayor promised to revitalise the city's drab downtown area with new shops and restaurants." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"The reviewer criticised the film's drab cinematography and predictable plot." (IGN Entertainment)
Entertainment Mediums:
Movie: "The villain wore a drab gray cloak to blend in with the shadows." (Example from a fantasy movie)
Video Game: "The player character can unlock new, more vibrant costumes to escape the initial drab outfit." (Example from a character customization menu)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm feeling uninspired by my wardrobe lately. Everything seems so drab." (Casual conversation)
"The presentation lacked any visual interest; the slides were just drab text and bullet points." (Business meeting feedback)
Social Media:
"Ugh, another cloudy day. My mood is as drab as the weather." (Twitter post)
These examples showcase "drab" being used across various mediums to describe:
Lack of visual appeal (paint, clothes, environment)
Lack of excitement or interest (movies, presentations)
Lack of energy or inspiration (mood, feelings)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Drab
Unfortunately, due to the rarity of "drab" appearing in famous quotes, it's difficult to find ten instances. However, here are a few creative options that capture the essence of the word "drab" even if not using it literally:
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." (Helen Keller) (Implies rejecting a drab, unadventurous life)
"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." (Malcolm X) (Highlights the importance of education to avoid a stagnant, "drab" future)
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do." (Mark Twain) (Stresses the potential regret of a life lived without taking chances, which could be seen as "drab")
"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." (Zig Ziglar) (Encourages action to escape a potentially "drab" starting point)
"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." (Ralph Waldo Emerson) (Speaks to the power of shaping your own life, avoiding a predetermined "drab" existence)
"Without passion, you don't have a reason to jump out of bed in the morning." (Chris Guillebeau) (Passion combats a dull, "drab" life)
"Some people see things as they are and say, 'Why?' I dream of things that never were and say, 'Why not?'" (George Bernard Shaw) (Dreaming and innovation challenge the status quo of a potentially "drab" reality)
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." (Saint Augustine) (Travel broadens perspectives and avoids a "drab" existence confined to one place)
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." (Albert Einstein) (Curiosity keeps life interesting and avoids a "drab" monotony)
"The unexamined life is not worth living." (Socrates) (Self-reflection and growth prevent life from becoming stagnant and "drab")
Etymology
The word "drab" has a bit of a tangled history! The most common meaning we use today, which is for something dull or lacking colour, actually comes from the world of fabric.
Way back in the 1500s, there was a kind of thick woollen cloth that was a yellowish-grey or brownish-grey colour. People called this fabric "drab." Over time, the word "drab" started to be used not just for the fabric itself, but also for anything that looked similar – boring, dull, and lacking in brightness.
That's the most interesting story behind "drab," but there's another meaning you might come across less often. Around the same time, "drab" was also used as a slang term for a sloppy or untidy woman. This meaning is much older and where it came from is a bit of a mystery. It might be related to other words for dirt or mud in some European languages.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Drab
Here are some phrases and idioms using the word "drab":
Drab colours: This refers to dull, muted colours that lack vibrancy. (e.g., "The room was decorated in drab colours, making it feel depressing.")
Drab existence: This describes a life that is boring, uneventful, and lacking in excitement. (e.g., "He craved adventure and escape from his drab existence.")
Drab and dreary: This emphasises the gloomy and depressing nature of something. (e.g., "The weather was drab and dreary, with a constant drizzle.")
Paint the town drab: This is a humorous twist on the idiom "paint the town red" (to have a wild and exciting time). It suggests doing something boring or uninspired. (e.g., "We decided to stay in and paint the town drab by watching documentaries all night.")
Dressed down in drab: This describes wearing clothes that are plain, casual, and lacking in style. (e.g., "He dressed down in drab clothes for the weekend.")
Less common idioms:
Drab as ditchwater: This is a strong comparison highlighting the utter lack of excitement or interest in something. (e.g., "The conversation was as drab as ditchwater, so I excused myself.")
While there aren't many widely used idioms with "drab," these phrases effectively communicate the idea of dullness, lack of colour, or excitement.
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Source Information
Definition of drab from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
