dabble
[ dab-uhl ]
/ ˈdæb əl /
verb (used without object), dab·bled, dab·bling.
to play and splash in or as if in water, especially with the hands.
to work at anything in an irregular or superficial manner: to dabble in literature.
(of a duck) to feed on shallow-water vegetation with rapid, splashing movements of the bill.
verb (used with object), dab·bled, dab·bling.
to wet slightly in or with a liquid; splash; spatter.
Chiefly South Midland U.S. to wash or rinse off lightly.
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OTHER WORDS FROM dabble
dabbler, noundab·bling·ly, adverbun·dab·bled, adjectiveWords nearby dabble
da, dab, dabba, dabber, dabbing, dabble, dabbling duck, dabchick, dab hand, Dąbrowa Górnicza, dabster
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for dabble
British Dictionary definitions for dabble
dabble
/ (ˈdæbəl) /
verb
to dip, move, or splash (the fingers, feet, etc) in a liquid
(intr; usually foll by in, with, or at) to deal (with) or work (at) frivolously or superficially; play (at)
(tr) to daub, mottle, splash, or smearhis face was dabbled with paint
Derived forms of dabble
dabbler, nounWord Origin for dabble
C16: probably from Dutch dabbelen; see dab 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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