dabble

verb

dab·​ble ˈda-bəl How to pronounce dabble (audio)
dabbled; dabbling ˈda-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce dabble (audio)

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fellner had already dabbled in production having produced a slew of shorts as well as Danny Huston’s upcoming genre feature Snowshadow along with its companion doc series. Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 14 May 2025 My father, who is 92, still makes puns constantly, and even my brother has dabbled in them. Elana Rabinowitz, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025 Means has also dabbled in poetry in her newsletter. Alana Semuels, Time, 8 May 2025 Lowe claimed of his conversations with Paxton's spirit Paxton, an actor known for movies like Aliens and Twister, died suddenly at 61 in 2017 due to complications from surgery Rob Lowe has dabbled in meetings with mediums and psychics, and said he's found his late friend Bill Paxton in the process. Tommy McArdle, People.com, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dabble

Word History

Etymology

perhaps frequentative of dab entry 2

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of dabble was in 1557

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dabble. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

dabble

verb
dab·​ble ˈdab-əl How to pronounce dabble (audio)
dabbled; dabbling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce dabble (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on dabble

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