Drab means dull, colorless, and uninteresting to look at. A drab room might have dingy beige walls, worn gray carpet, and no decorations or bright spots to catch your eye. Drab clothes are the opposite of vibrant: think of a faded brown jacket that's lost whatever color it once had.

The word usually describes colors, but it can describe anything that feels boring and lifeless. A rainy Tuesday with nothing to do might feel drab. A speech delivered in a monotone voice, even about an exciting topic, could be described as drab.

Originally, drab referred to a specific yellowish-brown color, like undyed wool cloth. That plain, practical fabric gave the word its current meaning. Today we use it for anything that lacks brightness, energy, or interest. A hospital waiting room with beige walls and fluorescent lighting can feel drab.

Notice that drab suggests something dreary and depressing, like life has been drained out of it. A clean, minimal room can be beautiful, but a drab room feels lifeless and gloomy. When you add color, light, or energy to something drab, you transform it into something much more appealing.