dabble

verb

dab·​ble ˈda-bəl How to pronounce dabble (audio)
dabbled; dabbling ˈda-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce dabble (audio)

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Teachers are dabbling in artificial intelligence tools, but AI adoption isn’t having a big impact on the classroom yet, according to a new RAND report. Cory Smith, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025 Italian hatmaker Borsalino also dabbled in eyewear with a niche player, the Ophy Eyewear brand, established in 2018 by Placido Minissale. Martino Carrera, WWD, 14 Feb. 2025 Spread the Love also dabbles in jams, both flavors of which (raspberry and marionberry) contain just two ingredients: berries and sugar. Alaina Chou, Bon Appétit, 13 Feb. 2025 Elez, after all, is not the only member of Musk’s coterie who dabbles in far-right trolling. Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dabble

Word History

Etymology

perhaps frequentative of dab entry 2

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of dabble was in 1557

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Dabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dabble. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

dabble

verb
dab·​ble ˈdab-əl How to pronounce dabble (audio)
dabbled; dabbling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce dabble (audio)
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
-(ə-)lər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dabble

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