dabbled; dabbling
ˈda-b(ə-)liŋ 
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
: 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
Erin Keating, an executive analyst for Cox Automotive, said in an interview with USA TODAY that the statistics show why online retailers like Carvana may think now is time to dabble in the brick-and-mortar side of the car sales business.
—
Keith Laing, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Bennett is concerned, for instance, that Hong could win her primary and then be defeated in November by Republican Tom Tiffany, fumbling the governorship of a swing state into the hands of a far-right Freedom Caucus member who dabbled in 2020 election conspiracy theories.
—Will Lennon, ABC News, 16 June 2026
Towns isn’t the only member of the Knicks dabbling in trademarks.
—Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 16 June 2026
Gulf governments, meanwhile, have dabbled abroad as well, while trying to address grievances among their own Shia populations to prevent them from becoming pawns of Tehran.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dabble
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Keith Laing, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Bennett is concerned, for instance, that Hong could win her primary and then be defeated in November by Republican Tom Tiffany, fumbling the governorship of a swing state into the hands of a far-right Freedom Caucus member who dabbled in 2020 election conspiracy theories.
—Will Lennon, ABC News, 16 June 2026
Towns isn’t the only member of the Knicks dabbling in trademarks.
—Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 16 June 2026
Gulf governments, meanwhile, have dabbled abroad as well, while trying to address grievances among their own Shia populations to prevent them from becoming pawns of Tehran.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dabble
Cite this Entry
“Dabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dabble. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
-(ə-)lər
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