drabble

USAGE SUMMARY

'drabble' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb which means to write a short story in exactly 100 words. For example: "Every night before bed, she would sit and drabble a story about her favorite characters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The reclusive actress sounds very like the Drabble of "A Writer's Britain": "I trod in the footsteps of the Wordsworths and Coleridge and Lorna Doone, I made my way through a thousand pages of The Glastonbury Romance".

The New Yorker

But according to Drabble these were the least of her woes: Wilson is excellent on migraines, but I'm sorry that she does not say more about teeth.

The New Yorker

For Drabble fans, the book may supply missing pieces.

The New Yorker

Those so inclined are asked to nominate more texts online, to be combined in an evolving map of Britain's literary landscape.Margaret Drabble, in her foreword to "A Writer's Britain", notes that readers "gain great pleasure from associating places with lines of poetry, with scenes from novels.

The Economist

June 5, 1939 Sheffield, England Dame Margaret Drabble, (born June 5, 1939, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England) English writer of novels that are skillfully modulated variations on the theme of a girl's development toward maturity through her experiences of love, marriage, and motherhood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Drabble is concerned with the individual's attempt to define the self, but she is also interested in social change.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

This year, as you wander around, you might fall into step with Margaret Drabble, or Willie McIlvanney or Denise Mina or Haruki Murakami, just as in previous years Donna Tartt, or Thomas Keneally, or Bill Clinton or Toni Morrison.

The Guardian - Books

Having distinguished herself earlier in a realistic mode, as did authors such as Drabble and Pat Barker, Doris Lessing published a sequence of science fiction novels about issues of gender and colonialism, Canopus in Argos Archives (1979 83).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Byatt is the daughter of a judge and the sister of novelist Margaret Drabble.

Encyclopedia Britannica

August 24, 1936 Sheffield, England A.S. Byatt, in full Antonia Susan Byatt, née Antonia Susan Drabble (born Aug. 24, 1936, Sheffield, Eng).

Encyclopedia Britannica

A.S. Byatt, in full Antonia Susan Byatt, née Antonia Susan Drabble (born Aug. 24, 1936, Sheffield, Eng)., English scholar, literary critic, and novelist known for her erudite works whose characters are often academics or artists commenting on the intellectual process.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "drabble" in the context of writing, specify if you are referring to the 100-word story format to avoid confusion with its other meanings, such as the verb related to wetting or dirtying something.

Common error

Avoid using "drabble" to mean a 100-word story in contexts where the reader might interpret it as the verb meaning to wet or dirty. Provide clear context to ensure the intended meaning is understood.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "drabble" varies depending on context. It can be a noun, referring to a short story (often 100 words), or a verb, meaning to wet/dirty or to fish. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drabble" is a versatile term with multiple meanings, most notably referring to a short (often 100-word) story or the act of wetting something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and usable word. The term's frequency is classified as very common, with significant presence in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts. To avoid confusion, context is crucial when using "drabble", particularly to distinguish between its literary and non-literary senses. Considering the potential for misinterpretation, providing clear context is advised, especially when referring to a 100-word story.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short short story

Emphasizes the story's concise length.

flash fiction

Synonymous term emphasizing brevity.

sudden fiction

Another term for very short stories.

microfiction

Highlights the extremely short nature of the story.

100-word story

Explicitly states the length constraint.

short story

Broader term for a brief work of fiction.

miniature tale

Focuses on the small size of the narrative.

pocket story

Suggests a story of minimal length.

brief narrative

General term for a short account.

narrative sketch

Implies an outline of a story.

FAQs

How is "drabble" used in literature?

In literature, "drabble" typically refers to a very short story, often exactly 100 words in length. It's a form of flash fiction.

What are some synonyms for "drabble" as a literary term?

Synonyms for "drabble" in its literary sense include "flash fiction", "microfiction", and "short short story".

What is the origin of the term "drabble"?

The term "drabble" originated as a humorous reference to a short story competition and has since become a recognized term for this specific form of writing.

Besides its literary meaning, does "drabble" have other definitions?

Yes, "drabble" can also mean to wet or dirty something, or to fish with a long line and rod. Context is crucial in understanding its intended meaning.