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

O’Shea has been dabbling in the world of biographies. —Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 27 June 2025

The actor, who previously dabbled in the DC Comics playground with Fox's Gotham TV series, transforms for this summer's event movie into Rex Mason, a.k.a. —EW.com, 26 June 2025

The good news for investors who may have dabbled and lost in the USO over the past few weeks is that the rest of their portfolio is probably doing just fine. —Jesse Pound, CNBC, 24 June 2025

Now along comes Rodgers, a four-time MVP who dabbled a bit in coaching and general managing during his calamitous tenure in New York. —Tribune Content Agency, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 June 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