dabble

verb

dab·​ble ˈda-bəl 

dabbled; dabbling ˈda-b(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to work or involve oneself superficially or intermittently especially in a secondary activity or interest

dabbles in art

2

a

: to paddle, splash, or play in or as if in water

b

: to reach with the bill to the bottom of shallow water in order to obtain food

transitive verb

: to wet by splashing or by little dips or strokes : spatter

Examples of dabble in a Sentence

The ducks dabbled in the stream.

She sat by the pool, dabbling her feet in the cool water.

Recent Examples on the Web

The protagonist dabbles in growing and selling drugs like cannabis and magic mushrooms. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025

Wahlberg has also dabbled in reality TV, namely Wahlburgers (2014–2019) with his family, including brother Mark Wahlberg, and reunited with New Kids in 2008. —Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 26 Jan. 2025

Investors who are willing to dabble in these ETFs benefit from handsome yields. —Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2025

Advertisement Duffy dabbled in reality TV for a few more years, then pivoted to politics. —Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps frequentative of dab entry 2

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

dabble

verb

dab·​ble ˈdab-əl 

dabbled; dabbling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to wet by splashing : spatter

2

a

: to paddle or play in or as if in water

b

: to reach with the bill to the bottom of shallow water to obtain food

ducks dabbled in the pond

3

: to work or concern oneself lightly or without deep involvement

they dabble in poetry

dabbler

-(ə-)lər

noun