jab

[ jab ]

verb (used with object)

, jabbed, jab·bing.

1. to poke, or thrust abruptly or sharply, as with the end or point of a stick or with the finger or elbow.
2. to punch with a short, quick blow.
3. 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)

, jabbed, jab·bing.

1. to poke or punch with a sharp, quick blow.

noun

1. a poke with the end or point of something; a sharp, quick thrust.
2. a short, quick punch.
3. Informal. a hypodermic injection, especially of a vaccine:

   Have you gotten your flu jab yet?

4. Informal. an abrupt insult or critical remark:

   That guy has no problem responding with a sarcastic jab.

5. 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.

jab

/ dʒæb /

verb

1. to poke or thrust sharply
2. to strike with a quick short blow or blows

noun

1. a sharp poke or stab
2. a quick short blow, esp (in boxing) a straight punch with the leading hand
3. informal.
   an injection

   polio jabs

Derived Forms

• ˈjabbingly, adverb
• ˈjabbing, adjective

Other Words From

• jab·bing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of jab¹

First recorded in 1825–35; variant, originally Scots, of job ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of jab¹

C19: originally Scottish variant of job

Example Sentences

Maybe you think Botox is no big deal—a quick lunchtime jab to freshen up the face?

From The Daily Beast

This could be construed as a jab at Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, who is actively considering both.

From The Daily Beast

A little global economics-based jab alongside the political insults.

From The Daily Beast

This has been the animating spirit behind Lincoln, which was read as an implicit jab at Obama.

From The Daily Beast

There was the jab at a blue-haired Liza Minnelli, claiming she was a man in drag masquerading as the Oscar winning legend.

From The Daily Beast

I just got out iv th' back dure in time to escape a jab in th' spine fr'm a German that I niver see befure.

From Project Gutenberg

If I see another one, I'll jab him with one of these knitting needles.

From Project Gutenberg

I still have the reach, and I was able to protect myself by a frequent use of a lightning left jab.

From Project Gutenberg

When I said this, I turned to jab a claw at the other priests, using the motion to cover my flicking a coin grenade toward them.

From Project Gutenberg

I would make fur the doctor and draw my spear back to jab it clean through him, and Watty would grab my arm.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dig
• punch