jab

American  

[jab] / dʒæb /

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.

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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 British  

/ dʒæb /

verb

1. to poke or thrust sharply

2. to strike with a quick short blow or blows

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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

• jabbing adjective
• jabbingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of jab

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

Example Sentences

For the most part, “Selective Outrage” makes a point of punching up with a series of light, targeted jabs . . . until the final volley.

From Salon

It was then that she sought weight-loss jabs from a medical professional.

From BBC

He gave the box a jab as we filed out.

From Literature

“Especially since reinforcements just arrived,” I said, jabbing my thumb behind me.

From Literature

The two companies have been publicly taking jabs at each other as they contend in the race to dominate AI.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dig
• punch