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

Brown, a running back, was USC’s primary kick returner as a freshman and dabbled in the return game at Arizona State last season. —David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026

Robinson continued to dabble in Hollywood, putting money into the 1985 comedies Girls Just Want to Have Fun and Grunt! —Chris Koseluk, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026

After her first son was born, the new mom tiptoed back into the workplace, even dabbling in radio. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026

But all are encouraged to dabble. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Mar. 2026

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