Drab vs. Khaki — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 8, 2024
Drab is a dull, lifeless color, often grayish-brown, that signifies a lack of brightness or appeal. Khaki, however, is a specific shade of light brown with a hint of yellow, traditionally used in military uniforms.
Difference Between Drab and Khaki
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Key Differences
Drab is used to describe a lackluster, faded color or appearance, often suggesting monotony or dullness. Khaki, on the other hand, specifically refers to a light brownish color with a yellow tint, commonly seen in military and casual clothing.
Drab typically connotes a broader sense of dullness in both color and spirit, often implying something is boring or monotonous. Khaki is a standard term for a color that originated in military wear and now frequently appears in casual and business attire.
Drab colors lean toward gray or brown tones and can make things appear plain and uninspired. Khaki, however, is a more distinct, recognizable shade that's used widely in uniforms and practical clothing due to its earthy, neutral appearance.
Drab can describe not just color but also an overall lack of vibrancy in appearance or behavior. Khaki remains more specific to color, representing a practical, versatile shade suitable for many settings.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Dull or lackluster color
Light brownish color with yellow tint
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Tone
Grayish-brown, muted
Light brown with yellowish hue
Connotation
Monotony, lack of appeal
Practicality, neutrality
Origin
Middle Dutch "drabbe" (dregs)
Persian "khâk" (dust, earth)
Common Usage
General term for dullness
Specific color in military/casual wear
Compare with Definitions
Drab
Lacking in brightness or energy.
The meeting room had a drab and uninspiring feel.
Khaki
Light brown color with a yellowish tint.
She wore a khaki jacket that matched her casual look.
Drab
Showing monotony or lack of appeal.
His apartment's drab decor needed a splash of color.
Khaki
Traditional color of military uniforms.
The soldiers were dressed in khaki uniforms.
Drab
Dullness or a lack of spirit in character or appearance.
She dressed in drab clothing that made her blend in with the crowd.
Khaki
Originating from Persian meaning "dust" or "earth."
Khaki is a practical color that blends well with outdoor settings.
Drab
Overall boring and colorless in style.
The drab uniforms were designed for practical purposes only.
Khaki
Neutral, practical shade suitable for various settings.
His khaki pants were ideal for both the office and a casual outing.
Drab
A dull, lifeless color, often grayish-brown.
The landscape looked drab under the overcast sky.
Khaki
Fabric dyed to this color, typically used for clothing.
He preferred khaki fabric for its versatility and comfort.
Drab
Of a dull grayish to yellowish brown.
Khaki
Khaki (UK: , US: ) is a color, a light shade of brown with a yellowish tinge. Khaki has been used by many armies around the world for uniforms, including camouflage.
Drab
Of a light olive brown or khaki color.
Khaki
A strong cotton or wool fabric of a dull brownish-yellow colour, used especially in military clothing
He was dressed from head to toe in khaki
A regulation-issue khaki overall
Drab
Faded and dull in appearance.
Khaki
A dull greenish or brownish-yellow colour
A pair of khaki Bermuda shorts
Drab
Dull or commonplace in character; dreary
A drab personality.
Khaki
A light olive brown to moderate or light yellowish brown.
Drab
A dull grayish to yellowish or light olive brown.
Khaki
A sturdy cloth of this color.
Drab
Cloth of this color or of an unbleached natural color.
Khaki
Khakis A uniform made of this cloth.
Drab
A slovenly woman; a slattern.
Khaki
Khakis Pants made of a twilled cotton fabric of this color or another solid color.
Drab
A woman prostitute.
Khaki
A dull, yellowish-brown colour, the colour of dust.
Drab
A negligible amount
Finished the work in dribs and drabs.
Khaki
Khaki green, a dull green colour.
Drab
To consort with prostitutes
"Even amid his drabbing, he himself retained some virginal airs" (Stanislaus Joyce).
Khaki
A strong cloth of wool or cotton, often used for military or other uniforms.
Drab
A fabric, usually of thick cotton or wool, having a dull brownish yellow, dull grey, or dun colour.
Khaki
(rare) A soldier wearing a khaki uniform.
Drab
The colour of this fabric.
Khaki
A British person (from the colour of the uniform of British troops, originally in the Second Boer War; compare rooinek). In this sense the plural generally is khakies.
Drab
Often in the plural form drabs: apparel, especially trousers, made from this fabric.
Khaki
(often in plural) Khaki clothing or uniform.
Drab
(by extension) A dull or uninteresting appearance or situation, unremarkable.
Khaki
Dust-coloured; of the colour of dust.
Drab
(dated) A dirty or untidy woman; a slattern.
Khaki
Of a dull brownish yellow, or drab color; - applied to cloth, originally to a stout brownish cotton cloth, used in making uniforms in the Anglo-Indian army.
Drab
(dated) A promiscuous woman, a slut; a prostitute.
Khaki
Any kind of khaki cloth; hence, a uniform of khaki or, rarely, a soldier clad in khaki. In the United States and British armies khaki or cloth of a very similar color is almost exclusively used for service in the field.
Drab
A small amount, especially of money.
Khaki
A sturdy twilled cloth of a yellowish brown color used especially for military uniforms
Drab
A box used in a saltworks for holding the salt when taken out of the boiling pans.
Khaki
Of a yellowish brown color
Drab
An instance of a transgender or non-binary person presenting as the gender corresponding to their sex assigned at birth instead of that corresponding to their internal gender identity (for instance, a trans woman dressed as a man).
Drab
Of the colour of some types of drabcloth: dull brownish yellow or dun.
Drab
(by extension) Particularly of colour: dull, uninteresting.
Drab
To consort with prostitutes; to whore.
Drab
A low, sluttish woman.
Drab
A lewd wench; a strumpet.
Drab
A wooden box, used in salt works for holding the salt when taken out of the boiling pans.
Drab
A kind of thick woolen cloth of a dun, or dull brownish yellow, or dull gray, color; - called also drabcloth.
Drab
A dull brownish yellow or dull gray color.
Drab
To associate with strumpets; to wench.
Drab
Of a color between gray and brown.
Drab
Lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise;
Her drab personality
Life was drab compared with the more exciting life style overseas
A series of dreary dinner parties
Drab
Lacking brightness or color; dull;
Drab faded curtains
Sober Puritan gray
Children in somber brown clothes
Drab
Depressing in character or appearance;
Drove through dingy streets
The dismal prison twilight
Drab old buildings
A dreary mining town
Gloomy tenements
Sorry routine that follows on the heels of death
Common Curiosities
How do drab and khaki differ?
Drab implies a dull, lifeless appearance, while khaki is a specific shade of light brown with a practical, neutral appeal.
Is drab used only for colors?
No, drab can also describe a lack of liveliness in style or character.
What is khaki?
Khaki is a light brown color with a yellow tint, traditionally used in military uniforms.
Is khaki just a color?
Khaki can refer to both a color and fabric dyed to that color.
What does drab mean in fashion?
Drab in fashion means plain, uninspired clothing with little vibrancy.
What is drab?
Drab is a dull, grayish-brown color often associated with monotony or lack of brightness.
Are drab and khaki used differently?
Yes, drab is more generic and often negative, while khaki is a specific shade frequently used positively.
Is drab a positive or negative term?
Drab generally has a negative connotation, suggesting dullness or monotony.
What does khaki signify in clothing?
Khaki is practical and neutral, often signifying functionality and versatility.
What are khaki pants?
Khaki pants are trousers made from fabric dyed in a light brownish-yellow color.
Can drab describe nature?
Yes, landscapes or weather can appear drab when lacking color or vibrancy.
Is drab a fabric type?
Historically, drab could refer to a type of fabric, but it's more commonly used now as a color descriptor.
Is khaki associated with any particular profession?
Yes, khaki is often associated with military and outdoor professions.
Can drab describe personality?
Yes, drab can describe a personality that lacks enthusiasm or vibrancy.
Is khaki considered fashionable?
Yes, khaki is versatile and considered fashionable in casual and business settings.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
