Drab-eyed

Describing a person whose eyes lack vibrancy, sparkle, or expressiveness; often implying a sense of dullness, weariness, or a lack of emotional engagement. The term suggests a flat, unremarkable appearance to the eyes, conveying a feeling of apathy or subdued emotion. This can be due to fatigue, sadness, a withdrawn personality, or a general lack of excitement in life. The adjective often highlights a contrast between the person's eyes and a more lively or engaging ideal.

Drab-eyed meaning with examples

• Exhausted from weeks of night shifts, the detective’s drab-eyed gaze swept the crime scene, barely registering the chaos. The fatigue had etched deep lines around his eyes, and the spark he once had was extinguished. He felt utterly drained, his eyes mirroring the despair surrounding the case.
• After the funeral, Sarah seemed to be drab-eyed, her usual vivacity replaced by a heavy sorrow. Her eyes, once alight with joy, were now clouded and lifeless, reflecting the deep pain of her loss. Friends tried to comfort her, but she remained distant, lost in a fog of grief.
• The prisoner, years spent incarcerated, stared with drab-eyed resignation at the prison walls. Hope had withered, leaving a hollow emptiness in his eyes. His gaze conveyed a weary acceptance of his situation, and he had lost all joy from the world outside.
• Despite the vibrant party surrounding him, Mark sat alone, his drab-eyed stare fixed on his untouched drink. He felt disconnected from the revelry, an outsider observing a life he couldn't connect with. The festive atmosphere was lost on him, and his eyes reflected his disinterest.