dibble

[ dib-uhl ]

See synonyms for dibble on Thesaurus.com

noun

Also dib·ber [dib-er]. /ˈdɪb ər/. a small, handheld, pointed implement for making holes in soil for planting seedlings, bulbs, etc.

verb (used with object),dib·bled, dib·bling.

to make a hole (in the ground) with or as if with a dibble.
to set (plants) in holes made with a dibble.

verb (used without object),dib·bled, dib·bling.

to work with a dibble.

Origin of dibble

1325–75; late Middle English, perhaps akin to dib

Other words from dibble

dibbler, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for dibble (1 of 3)

dibble¹

/ (ˈdɪbəl) /

noun

Also called (esp Brit): dibber (ˈdɪbə) a small hand tool used to make holes in the ground for planting or transplanting bulbs, seeds, or roots

verb

to make a hole in (the ground) with a dibble
to plant (bulbs, seeds, etc) with a dibble

Origin of dibble

C15: of obscure origin

Derived forms of dibble

dibbler, noun

British Dictionary definitions for dibble (2 of 3)

dibble²

/ (ˈdɪbəl) /

verb(intr)

a variant of dib
a less common word for dabble

British Dictionary definitions for dibble (3 of 3)

dibble³

/ (ˈdɪbəl) /

noun

British slang a policeman

Origin of dibble

C20: allusion to the police officer of that name in the children's animated cartoon Top Cat

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

Browse