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
Guests can dabble in sunset yoga, book a mezcal tasting, witness sea turtles hatching, go to a temazcal ceremony, or even horseback ride along the shoreline.
—
Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the 38th governor of the state, got his start in acting, and Ronald Reagan, a California governor before becoming president, also dabbled in showbiz.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Fields also dabbled in reality television, joining the cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta for the show's eighth season in 2015 and Dancing With the Stars in 2016.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 11 July 2025
Another beloved retailer that dabbles in luxe beauty, shoes, handbags, jewelry, and home finds, Bloomingdale’s is known to host a good sale.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dabble
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the 38th governor of the state, got his start in acting, and Ronald Reagan, a California governor before becoming president, also dabbled in showbiz.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Fields also dabbled in reality television, joining the cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta for the show's eighth season in 2015 and Dancing With the Stars in 2016.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 11 July 2025
Another beloved retailer that dabbles in luxe beauty, shoes, handbags, jewelry, and home finds, Bloomingdale’s is known to host a good sale.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 9 July 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 19 Jul. 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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