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Antonyms for drab

Grammar : Adj
Spell : drab
Phonetic Transcription : dræb


Definition of drab

Origin :
  • 1680s, "color of natural, undyed cloth," from Middle French drap (see drape (n.)). Figurative sense is c.1880. Apparently not related to earlier word meaning "a dirty, untidy woman" (1510s), "a prostitute" (1520s), which seems to be connected with Irish drabog, Gaelic drabag "dirty woman," and perhaps with Low German drabbe "dirt." Ultimately perhaps from PIE *dher- "to make muddy." Meaning "small, petty debt" (the sense in dribs and drabs) is 1828, of uncertain connection to the other senses.
  • adj dull, colorless
Example sentences :
  • He began to see things truly by the drab light of retrospection.
  • Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand
  • But he had her half painted yaller, an' his a kind of a drab, I guess you'd call it.
  • Extract from : « Meadow Grass » by Alice Brown
  • The world—my world before this night—now seemed to have been so drab.
  • Extract from : « Astounding Stories of Super-Science September 1930 » by Various
  • "Lee—over there—" Aura's whispered words were drab with horror.
  • Extract from : « The World Beyond » by Raymond King Cummings
  • A drab sack-coat of alpaca hung, unbuttoned, down to his knees.
  • Extract from : « Lord Jim » by Joseph Conrad
  • They are the gracious figures on the drab wall which lies on this side of our common grave.
  • Extract from : « The Rescue » by Joseph Conrad
  • Paul, who followed and who married a German drab, was Catherine's son but not her husband's.
  • Extract from : « The Paliser case » by Edgar Saltus
  • We must make our contribution here and now, in the drab world in which fate has set us.
  • Extract from : « The Legacy of Greece » by Various
  • In the drab confusion their scarlet tunics were a piercing note of colour.
  • Extract from : « The Trail of '98 » by Robert W. Service
  • The vicar, now a drab colour, was put ashore, and became as well as ever forthwith.
  • Extract from : « A Pair of Blue Eyes » by Thomas Hardy

Synonyms for drab

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019