dabble Definition
- 1to take part in an activity in a casual or superficial way
- 2to splash or play in water
Using dabble: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "dabble" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She dabbles in painting but doesn't take it seriously.
Example
He dabbled in politics before deciding to pursue a career in law.
Example
The children were happily dabbling in the shallow end of the pool.
Example
I like to dabble with different recipes when I cook.
dabble Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for dabble
- toy with
- play with
- tinker with
- experiment with
- amuse oneself with
Antonyms for dabble
- focus on
- concentrate on
- devote oneself to
Idioms Using dabble
dab hand at something
a person who is skilled or expert at something
Example
She's a dab hand at fixing things around the house.
make a dab at something
to make a clumsy or ineffectual attempt at something
Example
He made a dab at repairing the car engine, but ended up making it worse.
dab of paint
a small amount of paint applied with a quick, light stroke
Example
She added a dab of paint to the canvas to create a highlight.
Phrases with dabble
dabble in
to try something out without serious intentions or commitment
Example
She's been dabbling in photography lately, but she's not sure if she wants to pursue it as a career.
dabble one's feet in
to start doing something new or unfamiliar in a cautious way
Example
After years of working in finance, he decided to dabble his feet in entrepreneurship by starting a small business on the side.
dabble in the occult
to have a casual interest in or practice of supernatural or magical beliefs and practices
Example
Some people dabble in the occult as a form of entertainment or curiosity, while others take it more seriously.
Origins of dabble
from Middle Dutch 'dabbelen', meaning 'to paddle in water'
Summary: dabble in Brief
The verb 'dabble' [ˈdæbl] means to participate in an activity in a casual or superficial way, such as 'She dabbles in painting but doesn't take it seriously.' It can also refer to playing or splashing in water. 'Dabble' is often used in phrases like 'dabble in' and 'dabble one's feet in,' which denote trying something out without serious commitment. The idiom 'dab hand at something' refers to a person who is skilled or expert at something.
