jab
Americanverb (used with object)
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to poke, or thrust abruptly or sharply, as with the end or point of a stick or with the finger or elbow.
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to punch with a short, quick blow.
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Informal. to give (a person) a hypodermic injection, especially of a vaccine: I jab myself with insulin twice a day.
Here’s a list of the countries you can visit if you haven’t been jabbed.
I jab myself with insulin twice a day.
verb (used without object)
noun
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a poke with the end or point of something; a sharp, quick thrust.
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a short, quick punch.
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Informal. a hypodermic injection, especially of a vaccine.
Have you gotten your flu jab yet?
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Informal. an abrupt insult or critical remark.
That guy has no problem responding with a sarcastic jab.
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a sudden and unpleasant sensation or emotion: He knew she was happier now, but he still felt the slightest jab of guilt.
I have jabs of pain, numbness, and tingling in my fingers.
He knew she was happier now, but he still felt the slightest jab of guilt.
verb
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to poke or thrust sharply
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to strike with a quick short blow or blows
noun
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a sharp poke or stab
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a quick short blow, esp (in boxing) a straight punch with the leading hand
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informal an injection
polio jabs
Other Word Forms
- jabbing adjective
- jabbingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of jab
First recorded in 1825–35; variant, originally Scots, of job 2
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.
The two companies have been publicly taking jabs at each other as they contend in the race to dominate AI.
From Los Angeles Times
I ducked as she jabbed at me again.
From Literature
It recommends the jabs for people who are overweight with obesity-related health risks, not people who just want to get a bit thinner.
From BBC
She has now decided to share her story in the hope others will think twice before ordering weight-loss jabs online.
From BBC
It was one of several jabs that could be heard if one listened closely enough.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
