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

The Booker Prize–winning McEwan began his career writing Gothic tales, matured into creating twisty literary mysteries, and later dabbled in political fiction and sci-fi. —The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025

The genre-fusing rapper dabbled in punk rock, hip-hop, heavy metal and emo and worked with Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. —Brian Niemietz, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025

On their Instagram account, Rita, 82, can be seen rushing about the cloisters and dabbling in boxing lessons. —Esme Nicholson, NPR, 1 Dec. 2025

For all of his comedic bona fides, Arnett had never dabbled in stand-up. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps frequentative of dab entry 2

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for dabble

• babble
• babel
• drabble
• gabble
• nabal
• rabble
• scrabble
• immeasurable

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