dabbled; dabbling
ˈda-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to work or involve oneself superficially or intermittently especially in a secondary activity or interest
dabbles in art
2
a
: to paddle, splash, or play in or as if in water
b
: to reach with the bill to the bottom of shallow water in order to obtain food
: to wet by splashing or by little dips or strokes : spatter
Examples of dabble in a Sentence
The ducks dabbled in the stream.
She sat by the pool, dabbling her feet in the cool water.
Recent Examples on the Web
Throughout his seven-decade career, Jones dabbled in big-band jazz, bebop, gospel, blues, soul, funk, quiet storm R&B, disco, rock, and rap.
—
Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
Jolie, the star's eldest child, lives a life out of the spotlight but has dabbled in acting; her mother is Jones' high-school sweetheart Jeri Caldwell.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Organized religion leaves very little room for dabbling in 60 percent of one thing and 40 percent of the other.
—Claire Carusillo, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Paul Rudd was a wonderful choice for Ben Glenroy, a movie star who dabbled in franchise tentpoles but came alive due to Rudd’s comedic aptitude.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dabble 
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Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
Jolie, the star's eldest child, lives a life out of the spotlight but has dabbled in acting; her mother is Jones' high-school sweetheart Jeri Caldwell.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Organized religion leaves very little room for dabbling in 60 percent of one thing and 40 percent of the other.
—Claire Carusillo, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Paul Rudd was a wonderful choice for Ben Glenroy, a movie star who dabbled in franchise tentpoles but came alive due to Rudd’s comedic aptitude.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dabble
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Cite this Entry
“Dabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dabble. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dabble
verb
dab·ble
ˈdab-əl
dabbled; dabbling
-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to wet by splashing : spatter
2
a
: to paddle or play in or as if in water
b
: to reach with the bill to the bottom of shallow water to obtain food
ducks dabbled in the pond
3
: to work or concern oneself lightly or without deep involvement
they dabble in poetry
dabbler
noun
-(ə-)lər
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