dabble
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
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to wet slightly in or with a liquid; splash; spatter.
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Chiefly South Midland U.S. to wash or rinse off lightly.
verb
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to dip, move, or splash (the fingers, feet, etc) in a liquid
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(intr; usually foll by in, with, or at) to deal (with) or work (at) frivolously or superficially; play (at)
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(tr) to daub, mottle, splash, or smear
his face was dabbled with paint
Other Word Forms
- dabbler noun
- dabblingly adverb
- undabbled adjective
Etymology
Origin of dabble
1550–60; probably dab 1 + -le; compare Dutch dabbelen, dabben
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Even the league’s most respected organizations appear to dabble in selective losing.
The proud east Londoner first dabbled in DIY when he swapped the hustle and bustle of the capital for the peace and quiet of Ipswich, which he and his family now call home.
From BBC
And it been dabbling with artificial intelligence to see if it would be useful.
From MarketWatch
He grew up dabbling at his local multi-sport club before choosing which one he would come to revolutionize: cross-country skiing.
He dabbled in every sport going but it wasn't until he was eight that he first clipped into skis, not in the mountains, but on the dry slope of Pendle Ski Club.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
