dabble

American  

[dab-uhl] / ˈdæb əl /

verb (used without object)

dabbled, dabbling

1. to play and splash in or as if in water, especially with the hands.

2. to work at anything in an irregular or superficial manner.

   to dabble in literature.

   Synonyms:

   dally, toy, fiddle, putter

3. (of a duck) to feed on shallow-water vegetation with rapid, splashing movements of the bill.

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verb (used with object)

dabbled, dabbling

1. to wet slightly in or with a liquid; splash; spatter.

2. Chiefly South Midland U.S. to wash or rinse off lightly.

dabble British  

/ ˈdæbəl /

verb

1. to dip, move, or splash (the fingers, feet, etc) in a liquid

2. (intr; usually foll by in, with, or at) to deal (with) or work (at) frivolously or superficially; play (at)

3. (tr) to daub, mottle, splash, or smear

   his face was dabbled with paint

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Other Word Forms

• dabbler noun
• dabblingly adverb
• undabbled adjective

Etymology

Origin of dabble

1550–60; probably dab ¹ + -le; compare Dutch dabbelen, dabben

Example Sentences

Some investors, especially younger professionals, already dabble in crypto before they seek an adviser.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

It’s tempting for individual investors who think they can sell to a greater fool to dabble, too.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

Similar to Lear, Reiner didn’t just dabble in social causes and campaigns.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025

It's hard to estimate just how many Australians now dabble in this kind of ideology, but experts say it could be up to tens of thousands.

From BBC • Aug. 29, 2025

But that wondering is very rhetorical because no way would I give up my straight-A+ report card to risk a dabble in hobbies.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali