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
Ateliers Horizons has dabbled in sound before, developing a first jukebox in 2019, as well as a boombox housing a vertical turntable.
—
Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
Given Lewis Hamilton has also dabbled in the music industry under the pseudonym XNDA and, in 2018, collaborated with Christina Aguilera, the question is whether the Ferrari teammates will compose a piece together?
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The Musk bot also dabbled in Holocaust denial last week, as Rolling Stone’s Miles Klee reports.
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Not yet ready to give up on music, Golden dabbled in music journalism throughout the Seventies, writing for Rolling Stone and Creem, and took up residence singing jazz at Clifford’s Lounge on the Upper West Side.
—Jeff Gage, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dabble
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Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
Given Lewis Hamilton has also dabbled in the music industry under the pseudonym XNDA and, in 2018, collaborated with Christina Aguilera, the question is whether the Ferrari teammates will compose a piece together?
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The Musk bot also dabbled in Holocaust denial last week, as Rolling Stone’s Miles Klee reports.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
Not yet ready to give up on music, Golden dabbled in music journalism throughout the Seventies, writing for Rolling Stone and Creem, and took up residence singing jazz at Clifford’s Lounge on the Upper West Side.
—Jeff Gage, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dabble
Cite this Entry
“Dabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dabble. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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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