dabbling

noun

dab·​bling ˈda-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce dabbling (audio)
: a superficial or intermittent interest, investigation, or experiment
his dabblings in philosophy and art

Examples of dabbling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Since the late 2000s, the naked ambition that characterized her early work has persisted in ways that accentuate certain elements of cringe: compulsive dabbling in rap and EDM which could, at best, be read as camp, usually reviewed with a sense of grim duty, if not outright pity. Meaghan Garvey, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2023 And in fact, its dabbling in the world of technologically advanced clothing goes back several years. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2023 True, this dabbling takes many forms and is far from being used across all marketing firms. Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2023 Journalist Marisa Kabas first broke the news of Santos’ apparent dabbling in drag while living in a suburb of Rio de Janeiro — revealing an image sourced from a former friend and fellow drag queen, Eula Rochard — of Santos performing under the name Kitara Rivache. Allison Hope, CNN, 25 Jan. 2023 In contrast, dabbling and diving ducks had shown a 34% increase over that time frame. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2022 No Way Home, with Benedict Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange/Doctor Strange grappling with the fallout from his necessary dabbling in the multiverse. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2021 During the Stones’ debauched ’70s heyday, Watts was relatively sober, but his dabbling in alcohol, heroin, and amphetamines became more of a habit by the early ’80s. Dan Reilly, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2021 Their mutual dabbling on dating apps after college was less about fulfilling romantic ambitions than having something to do. New York Times, 9 July 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dabbling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dabbling was circa 1847

Dictionary Entries Near dabbling

Cite this Entry

“Dabbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dabbling. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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