dabble
verb (used without object)
to play and splash in or as if in water, especially with the hands.
had dabbled
-
past perfectof dabble.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On the other, he knew that the company had dabbled in off-kilter programming offerings for the past 50 years.
From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026
She had dabbled in art education, but found including that background seemed to confuse LinkedIn’s algorithm.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026
Díaz hadn’t fought in MMA since 2022, when he defeated Tony Ferguson, though he had dabbled in boxing.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 17, 2026
She had dabbled with selling clothes online, but only part-time.
From BBC ● Apr. 3, 2025
He had dabbled in wireless telegraphy at school.
From The Submarine Hunters A Story of the Naval Patrol Work in the Great War by Edward S. Hodgson
