Dabble

/ˈdæb.əl/

Meaning & Definition

verb
to take part in an activity in a casual or superficial way.
She dabbled in painting, creating a few pieces just for fun.
to splash or splatter water or a liquid.
The children loved to dabble their feet in the shallow end of the pool.
to dip one's hands or feet slightly into water or a similar substance.
He decided to dabble his toes in the ocean before fully committing to a swim.

Etymology

The origin of the word dabble is uncertain, but it may be related to the Middle English 'dabben', meaning to splash or dab.

Common Phrases and Expressions

dabble in:
To engage in a non-serious or casual way.
dabble with:
To experiment or try out.
dabble around:
To move about in a light or carefree manner.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

To experiment with something trendy.
He started to dabble with the latest fashion styles.
To play around with a hobby.
She dabbles in photography, posting snapshots on Instagram.