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

There is no shame in Gyllenhaal’s game, and her honest excitement to dabble with references and emotion is refreshing, even when these moments grate.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

Even the league’s most respected organizations appear to dabble in selective losing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

But The War Between, made under the same deal, draws the Whoniverse's dabble with Disney and its spending power to a close.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

“Yeah! Maybe they’re famous members of a boy band, and they don’t want anyone to know that they also dabble in western-themed amusement parks because it would ruin their cool pop-star image.”

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling