dabble

[ dab-uhl ]

/ ˈdæb əl /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR dabble ON THESAURUS.COM

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

to play and splash in or as if in water, especially with the hands.

to work at anything in an irregular or superficial manner: to dabble in literature.

(of a duck) to feed on shallow-water vegetation with rapid, splashing movements of the bill.

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

to wet slightly in or with a liquid; splash; spatter.

Chiefly South Midland U.S. to wash or rinse off lightly.

Origin of dabble

1550–60; probably dab¹ + -le; compare Dutch dabbelen, dabben

SYNONYMS FOR dabble

2 putter, fiddle, toy, dally.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR dabble ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM dabble

dab·bler, noun dab·bling·ly, adverb un·dab·bled, adjective

Words nearby dabble

dab, dab hand, dabba, dabber, dabbing, dabble, dabbling duck, dabchick, dabster, daca, dacarbazine

Example sentences from the Web for dabbling

Dabbling in night school photography classes in Miami in 1953, a 23- or 24-year-old Yeager quickly made a splash.

The Queen of the Playboy Centerfolds |Nina Strochlic |May 31, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Back to all the dabbling as a youngster—why did you choose acting over sports and music?

Tom Hiddleston On His Rocker-Vampire in ‘Only Lovers Left Alive,’ ‘Thor 2,’ and ‘Avengers 2’ |Marlow Stern |September 7, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The Hangover was a mini-comeback of sorts for you after dabbling in some indie films in the mid-2000s.

Heather Graham on ‘The Hangover Part III,’ Roles for Women, and More |Marlow Stern |May 24, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
He soon began playing drums, before moving on to playing Pink Floyd tunes on the piano, and dabbling in synthesizers.

Gotye on His Viral Hit ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ |Marlow Stern |March 31, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

In interviews, a few students admitted to dabbling in drugs on campus, but said they never heard about thuggish dealers.

Columbia University Drug Bust |Joshua Robinson, Lloyd Grove |December 8, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
Her warnings regarding his dabbling in matters theatrical, for instance, and charities to unsuccessful playwrights.

The Far Horizon |Lucas Malet
If there's a pot o' rebellion brewing between the twa poles, women will be dabbling in it.

The Bow of Orange Ribbon |Amelia E. Barr
We have a dim remembrance of rowing sundry leagues, and even of dabbling with the rod and line.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 96, October 1865 |Various
She turned a large cupboard in the attic into her dark-room, and spent many hours dabbling among chemicals.

The Luckiest Girl in the School |Angela Brazil
Mr. Franklin's universal genius, dabbling in everything, dabbled in what he called "decorative painting."

The Moonstone |Wilkie Collins

British Dictionary definitions for dabbling

dabble

/ (ˈdæbəl) /

verb

to dip, move, or splash (the fingers, feet, etc) in a liquid

(intr; usually foll by in, with, or at) to deal (with) or work (at) frivolously or superficially; play (at)

(tr) to daub, mottle, splash, or smear his face was dabbled with paint

Derived forms of dabble

dabbler, noun

Word Origin for dabble

C16: probably from Dutch dabbelen; see dab 1

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

dabble

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

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

Origin of dabble

SYNONYMS FOR dabble

OTHER WORDS FROM dabble

Words nearby dabble

Example sentences from the Web for dabbling

British Dictionary definitions for dabbling

verb

Derived forms of dabble

Word Origin for dabble

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

dabble

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

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

Origin of dabble

SYNONYMS FOR dabble

OTHER WORDS FROM dabble

Words nearby dabble

Words related to dabbling

Example sentences from the Web for dabbling

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for dabbling

verb

Derived forms of dabble

Word Origin for dabble

British Dictionary definitions for dabbling