What does drolled mean?
'Drolled' is the past tense of the verb 'droll', meaning to speak or behave in an amusingly odd, whimsical, or wryly humorous way. Most English speakers know 'droll' as an adjective describing dry, understated wit — a droll comment, a droll smile — but the word also functions as a verb, one who drolls jests or banters playfully. The verb form is uncommon today and carries a distinctly literary flavor; it tends to appear in narrative prose describing a speaker's tone rather than in everyday conversation. To say someone 'drolled' is to suggest their humor was delivered deadpan, with a touch of the absurd or whimsical rather than loud laughter. The word traces back through French 'drôle' to Middle Dutch 'drolle', originally meaning a small imp or mischievous fellow, which helps explain the sense of impish playfulness that still clings to it.
verbPast tense and past participle of the verb 'droll': to speak, act, or write in an amusingly odd or whimsical way; to jest or banter playfully.
- To say or do something in a playfully odd or witty manner; to jest or banter.
"The old professor drolled about the perils of committee meetings, keeping the room laughing for an hour."
"He drolled that the only reliable feature of the weather forecast was its unreliability."
"Throughout the tedious ceremony, she drolled quietly to her neighbor, keeping both of them amused."
Before 'droll' settled down as an adjective meaning wryly amusing, it was a verb you could actually do — you could droll your way through dinner.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of drolled
The verb 'droll' derives from the adjective 'droll', which English borrowed from French 'drôle' in the early 17th century. French 'drôle' itself comes from Middle Dutch 'drolle', meaning a rascal, imp, or mischievous creature. The adjective quickly became established in English to describe quaintly amusing people and things, while the rarer verb use developed alongside it, allowing writers to describe someone jesting or acting whimsically.
Related word forms
How drolled is actually used
The verbal use of 'droll' is considerably rarer than its adjectival use ('a droll remark'). When it does appear, usually as 'drolled', it carries a literary or somewhat old-fashioned flavor, suggesting dry, understated humor rather than broad comedy.
Easily confused with drolled
'Drooled' means to let saliva run from the mouth (or, figuratively, to gush over something), while 'drolled' means to speak or behave with playful wit.