Adjective a droll little man with a peculiar sense of humor a book of droll stories Noun the drolls of late-night TV had a field day with that senator's sexual shenanigans

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Naturally, not everyone is going to get along, but the relationships and rivalries never become overwhelming under the deft and droll pen of New York Times bestselling author and bookstore owner Emma Straub. Rachel King, Fortune, "9 escapist reads that will make you feel like you’re traveling even though you can’t," 23 May 2020

Also there’s Joan Cusack, having a high, droll time of it as a Pentagon official giddy at the prospect of using the memory berry for all sorts of new and fabulous projects. cleveland, "‘Homecoming’ review: Janelle Monae follows Julia Roberts down memory lane," 22 May 2020

Gavin’s an important white guy surrounded by important white people, and Good Fight keeps approaching the acquisition with droll cynicism. Darren Franich, EW.com, "The Good Fight season 4 is loopy, paranoid, all over the place, and gripping: Review," 9 Apr. 2020

For all her caustic insight and droll portraiture, Wiener is on an earnest quest likely to resonate with a public that has been sleepwalking through tech’s gradual reshaping of society. Ismail Muhammad, The Atlantic, "Inside Tech’s Fever Dream," 8 Feb. 2020

Conan’s back-and-forth with his celebrity guests is peppered with droll commentary from personal assistant Sona Movsesian and producer Matt Gourley. Paige Hymson, latimes.com, "Play Next: From print to podcasts," 2 July 2019

The fourth feature by writer-director Tara Miele (anorexia drama Starving in Suburbia, as well as that viral short Meet a Muslim) is surprisingly droll at times, which is just as well because profound loss is right at the heart of the story. Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Wander Darkly': Film Review | Sundance 2020," 5 Feb. 2020

Random House Copy editors, the unsung heroes of newsrooms everywhere, finally get their due in Random House copy chief Benjamin Dreyer’s droll but punctilious book. Rachel King, Fortune, "The 10 Best Business Books of 2019," 1 Dec. 2019

This space is meant for droll or pointed ruminations on movies, television shows, music, Internet memes. BostonGlobe.com, "A rogue’s gallery great and unmatched - The Boston Globe," 11 Oct. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Anyone who has ever worked retail or food service jobs (raises hand) or droll office jobs (raises other hand) has a solid baseline against which to assess their current job. Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, "When Media Miscalculations Pivot Talented People Out of a Job," 10 Aug. 2020

After retiring in 2000, Rex Chapman has become social media maven with a droll yet occasionally dark sense of humor on his popular Twitter account. Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, "Former Suns player Rex Chapman pledges up to $50K for COVID-19 mask donations for children," 4 Aug. 2020

Bill Bryson is known for his smart, droll, but shrewd narrative style, with a slew of nonfiction books covering histories of home life and the human body to a laboring personal account of hiking the Appalachian Trail. Rachel King, Fortune, "10 books on American history that actually reflect the United States," 4 July 2020

Chung spends more time with the youngsters and the old-timer than seems genuinely necessary, but these are among the film’s best scenes, at once droll, impudent and true-to-life. Todd Mccarthy, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Minari': Film Review | Sundance 2020," 27 Jan. 2020

Passage was a natural performer - droll, self-deprecating and bursting with jittery energy. oregonlive.com, "The trouble with tigers in America," 13 July 2019

Providing vigorous supporting work are Skye Scott and the extra-droll Scott Stangland as stalwart members of the Stax house band. Tim Smith, baltimoresun.com, "New jukebox musical 'Soul' delivers stacks of hits in vibrant production," 14 May 2018

But a frisky track with a rockabilly backbeat and droll, squiggly pedal-steel fills are her best chance at getting away with it. New York Times, "The Playlist: Justin Bieber Boosts a Friend, and 14 More New Songs," 6 Apr. 2018

Luckily, a couple of flight attendants from Air New Zealand are on hand to help him understand the Kiwi droll. Ruth Kinane, PEOPLE.com, "The 26 Best Holiday Commercials of 2017," 23 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'droll.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.