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

Musician East Forest’s work has long dabbled in psychedelic themes. —Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2024

Fallon has dabbled in music throughout his career and Holiday Seasoning will mark his third full-length album. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2024

Kit is also dabbling in makeup after watching her famous mom spend so many days and nights in a glam chair, getting ready for red carpets and events. —Hedy Phillips, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024

What our tester says: Even my 2-year-old twins can dabble with this toy, but the bigger kids really send the rockets flying. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 27 Sep. 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