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

Throughout his seven-decade career, Jones dabbled in big-band jazz, bebop, gospel, blues, soul, funk, quiet storm R&B, disco, rock, and rap. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024

Jolie, the star's eldest child, lives a life out of the spotlight but has dabbled in acting; her mother is Jones' high-school sweetheart Jeri Caldwell. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

Organized religion leaves very little room for dabbling in 60 percent of one thing and 40 percent of the other. —Claire Carusillo, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024

Paul Rudd was a wonderful choice for Ben Glenroy, a movie star who dabbled in franchise tentpoles but came alive due to Rudd’s comedic aptitude. —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2024

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