Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

dribs and drabs

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.33 in modern English

Syllables: drib-s and -drabs
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A series of negligible amounts.

Example Sentences

"The tea drinking has done a great deal in bringing this nation into the state [of] misery in which it now is; and the tea drinking, which is carried on by "dribs" and "drabs;" by pence and farthings going out at a time; this miserable practice has been gradually introduced by the growing weight of the taxes on Malt and on Hops, and by the everlasting penury amongst the labourers, occasioned by the paper-money."
"Passengers join in dribs and drabs along the way, but at Barnsley the numbers really began to swell and by Elsecar we have several standing."

Etymology

From drib (“a drop”) and drab (“a small amount”).

Inflected Forms

drips and drabs (alternative)

Synonyms

bits and pieces odds and ends bouillabaisse bric-a-brac catch-all clamjamfrey cocktail rummage salad anthology gallery gatherum

Questions

What does dribs and drabs mean?: A series of negligible amounts.
Where does dribs and drabs come from?: From drib (“a drop”) and drab (“a small amount”).

How to pronounce dribs and drabs

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