jab

[jab]

verb (used with object)

jabbed, jabbing 

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, jabbing 

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

Other Word Forms

• jabbingly adverb
• jabbing adjective

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

Their only jab back at her was that she’s wearing comfortable clothing in her own home.

Read more on Salon

Indeed, the jabbing of fingers and laying of blame have become something of a national pastime.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Pharmacists in England say they are facing "major issues" with large numbers of patients booking appointments for Covid jabs only to find they are no longer eligible.

Read more on BBC

Vaccines which help protect against various types of meningitis are given to children, but it's still important to be aware of the symptoms, even if you've had the jabs.

Read more on BBC

The current vaccination requires four injections to be given, so another aim is to work out if the same protective dose can be given in a simpler way - perhaps with fewer jabs.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• dig 
• punch