dab

1
[ dab ]
See synonyms for dab on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),dabbed, dab·bing.
  1. to pat or tap gently, as with something soft or moist: The child dabbed his eyes with the handkerchief.

  2. to apply (a substance) by light strokes: He dabbed the ointment on the rash.

  1. to strike, especially lightly, as with the hand.

  2. to consume (cannabis) by inhaling the vapor of heated cannabis extract oil.

  3. Masonry. to dress (stonework) with a pointed tool.

  4. Western U.S. to throw (a rope or line) in an effort to lasso or catch something: Joe dabbed his rope on the steer.

verb (used without object),dabbed, dab·bing.
  1. to strike lightly; make a dab; pat: She dabbed at the stain on her dress.

  2. to consume cannabis by inhaling the vapor of heated cannabis extract oil. She dabs for a more intense high.

noun
  1. a quick or light blow; a pat, as with the hand or something soft.

  2. a small moist lump or mass: a dab of butter.

  1. a small quantity: a dab of powder.

  2. a dose of cannabis extract oil.

  3. a dance move that involves posing with one’s nose in the crook of a bent elbow at chest level while extending the other arm to the side at or above shoulder level, often performed as a celebratory posture in sports or other competitions.

Origin of dab

1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English verb dabben “to strike, hit,” of uncertain origin; compare Old Icelandic dabba “to strike, tap,” Norwegian dabbe “to shuffle along, walk slowly,” Middle Dutch dabben “to pinch, knead,” German tappen “to feel along, grope”

Other words for dab

Words Nearby dab

Other definitions for dab (2 of 4)

dab2
[ dab ]

noun
  1. any of several flatfishes of the genus Limanda, especially the European flatfish, L. limanda.

Origin of dab

2
First recorded in 1570–80; perhaps special use of dab1

Other definitions for dab (3 of 4)

dab3
[ dab ]

noun
  1. Also called dab hand . a person skilled in something; an expert.

  2. an excellent or extraordinary person or thing.

Origin of dab

3
First recorded in 1685–95; of uncertain origin

Other definitions for DAB (4 of 4)

DAB

  1. Dictionary of American Biography.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use dab in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dab (1 of 4)

dab1

/ (dæb) /


verbdabs, dabbing or dabbed
  1. to touch lightly and quickly

  2. (tr) to daub with short tapping strokes: to dab the wall with paint

  1. (tr) to apply (paint, cream, etc) with short tapping strokes

noun
  1. a small amount, esp of something soft or moist: a dab of ink

  2. a small light stroke or tap, as with the hand

  1. (often plural) mainly British a slang word for fingerprint

Origin of dab

1
C14: of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for dab (2 of 4)

dab2

/ (dæb) /


noun
  1. a small common European brown flatfish, Limanda limanda, covered with rough toothed scales: family Pleuronectidae: a food fish

  2. (often plural) any of various other small flatfish, esp flounders: Compare sand dab

  1. Also called: patiki a sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebia, common around New Zealand's South Island

Origin of dab

2
C15: from Anglo-French dabbe, of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for dab (3 of 4)

dab3

/ (dæb) /


noun
  1. British informal See dab hand

Origin of dab

3
C17: perhaps from dab 1 (vb)

British Dictionary definitions for DAB (4 of 4)

DAB

abbreviation for
  1. digital audio broadcasting

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