dab

¹ American  

[dab] / dæb /

verb (used with object)

dabbed, dabbing

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.

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

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

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

6. Western U.S. to throw (a rope or line) in an effort to lasso or catch something.

   Joe dabbed his rope on the steer.

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verb (used without object)

dabbed, dabbing

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.

   Synonyms:

   smidgen, dollop, bit, pat

3. a small quantity.

   a dab of powder.

4. a dose of cannabis extract oil.

5. 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.

dab ² American  

[dab] / dæb /

noun

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

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dab ³ American  

[dab] / dæb /

noun

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

2. an excellent or extraordinary person or thing.

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adjective

1. expert; excellent; extraordinary.

DAB ⁴ American  

1. Dictionary of American Biography.

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dab ¹ British  

/ dæb /

verb

1. to touch lightly and quickly

2. (tr) to daub with short tapping strokes

   to dab the wall with paint

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

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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

3. (often plural) a slang word for fingerprint

dab ² British  

/ 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

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

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DAB ³ British  

abbreviation

1. digital audio broadcasting

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dab ⁴ British  

/ dæb /

noun

1. informal See dab hand

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Usage

What else does dab mean? In slang, dab can be a highly concentrated marijuana extract, a type of hip-hop dance, or touching the ground with your foot while you ride a bicycle.Doing any of these actions is called dabbing, and yes, you could feasibly do all three at once—not that we recommend it.

Etymology

Origin of dab¹

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”

Origin of dab²

First recorded in 1570–80; perhaps special use of dab ¹

Origin of dab³

First recorded in 1685–95; of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

She dabbed it on her wrists and upper lip.

From Literature

She lifts her glasses and dabs at the corners of her eyes.

From Literature

Already in her still relatively short career, Elle Fanning has managed to position herself smack dab in the center of these two polarities, the perfect combination of classic Hollywood and new age celebrity.

From Salon

Those low-risk dabs and flicks, nudges and nurdles, were valuable to England on a pitch which required a batter to play the percentages.

From BBC

She stopped occasionally to hiss as her mother dabbed ointment on her burn.

From Literature

Related Words

• daub
• smear
• smudge
• swab
• wipe