jab

[jab]

verb (used with object)

jabbed, jabbing 

1. to poke, or thrust abruptly or sharply, as with the end or point of a stick or with the finger or elbow.

2. to punch with a short, quick blow.

3. Informal.,  to give (a person) a hypodermic injection, especially of a vaccine: I jab myself with insulin twice a day.

   Here’s a list of the countries you can visit if you haven’t been jabbed.

   I jab myself with insulin twice a day.

verb (used without object)

jabbed, jabbing 

1. to poke or punch with a sharp, quick blow.

noun

1. a poke with the end or point of something; a sharp, quick thrust.

2. a short, quick punch.

3. Informal.,  a hypodermic injection, especially of a vaccine.

   Have you gotten your flu jab yet?

4. Informal.,  an abrupt insult or critical remark.

   That guy has no problem responding with a sarcastic jab.

5. a sudden and unpleasant sensation or emotion: He knew she was happier now, but he still felt the slightest jab of guilt.

   I have jabs of pain, numbness, and tingling in my fingers.

   He knew she was happier now, but he still felt the slightest jab of guilt.

jab

/ dʒæb /

verb

1. to poke or thrust sharply

2. to strike with a quick short blow or blows

noun

1. a sharp poke or stab

2. a quick short blow, esp (in boxing) a straight punch with the leading hand

3. informal,  an injection

   polio jabs

Other Word Forms

• jabbingly adverb
• jabbing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jab¹

First recorded in 1825–35; variant, originally Scots, of job ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of jab¹

C19: originally Scottish variant of _job

Example Sentences

Fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first guidance on the drugs.

Read more on BBC

She would stop taking the jabs when she was satisfied with the way she looked.

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Much to the fans' delight, he asserted himself in the opening round, snapping a jab to the body before ripping in stinging uppercuts that clearly troubled TKV.

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In England, the National Health Service issued a “flu jab SOS,” urging those eligible for the free vaccine to get it quickly and protect themselves this winter.

Read more on Salon

British health officials this month issued a “flu jab SOS,” as an early wave struck the nation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dig 
• punch