What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
drab
Example
She wore a drab brown coat to the party. [drab: adjective]
Example
The office was painted in a drab shade of gray. [drab: noun]
dreary
Example
The rain made the day feel dreary and sad. [dreary: adjective]
Example
The old library was a dreary place with no windows or natural light. [dreary: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dreary is more commonly used than drab in everyday language. Dreary is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while drab is less common and is primarily used in fashion or home decor.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between drab and dreary?
Both drab and dreary are considered informal words and are not typically used in formal writing or speech.
