dabble

[ dab-uhl ]

/ ˈdæb əl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dabble ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

dab, dab hand, dabba, dabber, dabbing, dabble, dabbling duck, dabchick, dabster, daca, dacarbazine

Origin of dabble

1550–60; probably dab¹ + -le; compare Dutch dabbelen, dabben

SYNONYMS FOR dabble

2 putter, fiddle, toy, dally.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dabble ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

dab·bler, noundab·bling·ly, adverbun·dab·bled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dabble

Then, about five years ago, I had this urge to dabble with it again.
Stephen Merchant Talks ‘Hello Ladies’ movie, the Nicole Kidman Cameo, and Legacy of ‘The Office’|Marlow Stern|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Did you dabble in a bit of liquid courage before your Sin City dance scenes?
Jessica Alba on 'Sin City,' Typecasting, and How Homophobia Pushed Her Away From the Church|Marlow Stern|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the interim, Herring took a short break from the band to dabble in his side-project—rapping under the moniker Hemlock Ernst.
Future Islands Frontman Samuel T. Herring on Their 11-Year Journey to Letterman and Viral Stardom|Marlow Stern|April 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hourani began to dabble with a myriad of artistic careers, from model scouting to styling to art direction.
Rad Hourani, The First Unisex Couture Designer|Erin Cunningham|January 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

While there, LeCun was allowed to dabble in some of his offbeat interests, including philosophy.
Soon All Your Best Facebook Friends Will Be Robots|William O’Connor|December 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Moreover, they neglect their business, dabble in speculation, and have become loafers.
The Mantle and Other Stories|Nicholas Gogol
I must explain that I dabble in chemistry as well as mineralogy.
Miss Ravenel's conversion from secession to loyalty|J. W. de Forest
This was disheartening; but Ned, having begun to dabble in medicines, felt an irresistible tendency to go on.
The Golden Dream|R.M. Ballantyne
I am a lawyer by profession, and dabble a bit in city government.
Sight Unseen|Mary Roberts Rinehart
And I did not take Felix Mendelssohn out of the pocket he was riding in, that he might dabble his toes.
The Story of Opal|Opal Whiteley

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

dabbler, noun

Word Origin for dabble

C16: probably from Dutch dabbelen; see dab 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012