it is droll

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is droll" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is amusing in an odd or whimsical way. Example: "The comedian's unique style of storytelling is so unexpected that it is droll, leaving the audience in fits of laughter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In any event, it is droll to find politicians shocked, shocked at the notion that money matters in politics.

The New York Times

(It is droll to conceive, as Lewis's biography does, of the amiable, aging bon vivant Teddy Wharton as the original of pinch-mean, hypochondriacal Zeena Frome, who has the novel's best lines, and in the film receives the best performance, by Joan Allen).

The New Yorker

What we mean when we describe something as "very Alan Bennett" is that it is droll, sharp, overheard and unexpected – like the woman who a friend of mine caught discussing a play she'd just seen: "How did you like it?" asked her friend.

The Guardian

It says: "You and I are so far superior to this wretch that anything I devise is acceptable as long as it is droll".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

His control of dialogue is similarly impressive, whether it be droll or deadpan or just plain laconic.

The New York Times - Books

But it's droll and candid, too, as only a young woman can be when describing quick sex in a train carriage between Leatherhead and Box Hill.

The Guardian - Books

The Flit!" The firm that made Flit was a subsidiary of the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (the only cartoon-ad idea that did not originate with Geisel or his wife was submitted by the first Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and while he can't remember what it was, he recalls that it was droll), and every now and then he would be farmed out to another subsidiary, like the Essomarine fuel outfit.

The New Yorker

Still, her dialogue is droll; it has attracted some vivacious young talent in Feiffer and Green, whom I'd happily pay to see again.

The New Yorker

This is droll, but it is also deeply touching because it encapsulates the lapses and petty indignities of aging.

The New York Times

"It's like revisiting an old world," says Topley-Bird, who is droll and spacey where Tricky is hyperactively chatty.

The Guardian - Music

Or it comes to me when I engage in a conversation that is droll and boring.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is droll" to describe situations or statements that are amusing in an understated or ironic way. It's particularly effective when the humor is subtle and requires a degree of sophistication to appreciate.

Common error

Avoid using "it is droll" to describe slapstick or overtly obvious humor. The phrase works best when the humor is subtle and intellectual, rather than broad and physical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is droll" primarily functions as a comment or observation, offering a subjective assessment of something being amusing or humorous in an unusual way. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. Many examples, such as those sourced from The New Yorker, use it to describe something unexpectedly funny.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is droll" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes something amusing in an odd or whimsical way. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and while the phrase is not extremely common, primarily appearing in neutral sources such as news and media, it effectively conveys subtle, ironic, or peculiar humor. Alternatives include "that is amusing" or "that is oddly humorous", though they may lack the specific nuance of "droll". When using this phrase, consider its subtle connotations to appropriately convey the intended tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's amusing

Replaces "droll" with a more straightforward term for amusement.

that's oddly humorous

Highlights the unexpected nature of the humor.

that's funny in a strange way

Adds emphasis to the unusual or peculiar nature of the humor.

it's subtly amusing

Highlights the understated quality of the amusement.

that's wryly amusing

Emphasizes a dry or sarcastic quality of amusement.

that's ironically funny

Highlights the ironic aspect of the humor.

that's strangely entertaining

Emphasizes the unexpected entertainment value.

that's peculiar but funny

Highlights the oddness and humor combined.

it's quaintly amusing

Conveys a sense of old-fashioned or charming amusement.

that's playfully ironic

Emphasizes the playful nature of the irony.

FAQs

How can I use "it is droll" in a sentence?

Use "it is droll" to describe something amusing in an odd or ironic way, such as, "It is droll to find politicians shocked at the notion that money matters in politics".

What are some alternatives to "it is droll"?

You can use alternatives such as "that is amusing", "that is ironically funny", or "that is oddly humorous" depending on the specific context.

What does "droll" mean?

"Droll" means amusing in an odd or whimsical way. It suggests a subtle or understated form of humor, often with an ironic twist.

Is "it is droll" formal or informal?

"It is droll" leans towards the neutral register but might be considered slightly formal due to the use of the word "droll", which isn't commonly used in everyday conversation. Context defines the specific level of formality of the sentence.