dab

/dæb/ (bre, ipa) · [dˈæb] /dæb/ (ame, ipa) · [dˈæb] /ˈdab/ (ame, mw)

dab — verb

  • dabpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • dabshe / she / it
  • dabbedpast simple
  • dabbing-ing form

1. to give something a few soft taps, or to place a small amount of liquid, cream,

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to give something a few soft taps, or to place a small amount of liquid, cream, or color onto a surface by tapping

例句

Kenji dabbed the soup stain with a wet cloth before class.

dab + stain + with + cloth

Soraya dabbed sunscreen on her nose before the boat trip.

dab + substance + on + body part

同義詞
  • pat

    usually uses the hand on a person or animal, often with a caring tone

  • blot

    focuses on soaking up liquid rather than touching lightly in general

  • smear

    suggests spreading across a surface, not small separate touches

反義詞
  • rub

    involves longer back-and-forth movement

  • wipe

    covers a broader surface instead of brief touches

文法句型

dab + object

dab + substance + on/onto + surface

dab at + object

dab + object + with + cloth

用法筆記

Use 'dab at' for repeated light touches on a wet or dirty area. Use 'dab ... on/onto ...' when a small amount of cream, paint, or similar material is being applied.

常見錯誤

❌She dabbed the cream in her face.
✅She dabbed the cream on her face.
💡use 'on' or 'onto' for the surface receiving the substance.
❌He dabbed the table hard with his fist.
✅He dabbed at the spill with a paper towel.
💡'dab' describes light touches, not a forceful hit.

2. to make the dance move where you lower your head toward one bent arm and hold th

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to make the dance move where you lower your head toward one bent arm and hold the other arm straight away from your body

例句

When the goal went in, Otis dabbed beside the corner flag.

celebration move after scoring

The crowd laughed when Omar dabbed on the wedding dance floor.

同義詞
  • pose

    more general and not specific to this well-known arm position

  • gesture

    can describe any body movement, not this particular celebratory move

文法句型

dab

dab for the camera

dab after + event

用法筆記

This sense is mostly used for a quick celebratory or joking move. It usually has no object, though you can add a phrase such as 'for the photo' or 'after scoring'.

常見錯誤

❌He dabbed his friend after the goal.
✅He dabbed after the goal.
💡the dance sense describes your own pose, not touching another person.

dab — noun