dabble

/ˈdæbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdæbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈda-bəl/ (ame, mw)

dabble — verb

  • dabblepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • dabbleshe / she / it
  • dabbledpast simple
  • dabbling-ing form

1. to try an activity or study a subject in a casual, uncommitted way, without putt

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to try an activity or study a subject in a casual, uncommitted way, without putting in serious effort or becoming deeply involved

例句

After retiring, Amir began to dabble in watercolour painting, though he never took a formal class.

dabble + in + [activity]

Sofia dabbled in photography for a few months before switching to pottery.

同義詞
  • tinker with

    suggests making small adjustments or repairs; more hands-on than dabble

  • dip into

    implies an even shallower or briefer experience than dabble

  • dally with

    suggests playful or flirtatious interest; slightly formal or literary

反義詞

文法句型

dabble + in + [subject/activity]

用法筆記

Frequently used with the preposition 'in' followed by a subject, skill, or activity. The activity is usually described as secondary to the person's main occupation or interest.

常見錯誤

❌I dabbled Chinese last year.
✅I dabbled in Chinese last year.
💡'dabble' requires the preposition 'in' before the activity.

2. to enjoy water by gently putting a body part — like your hands or feet — into it

2.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to enjoy water by gently putting a body part — like your hands or feet — into it and moving it around

例句

The children sat on the dock and dabbled their feet in the cool lake water.

dabble + [body part] + in + [water]

Kenji knelt by the stream and dabbled his fingers in the water, watching the ripples spread.

同義詞
  • splash

    suggests more energetic and less gentle movement than dabble

  • paddle

    British English; specifically refers to walking or moving about in shallow water

  • dip

    suggests briefly putting something into water and immediately taking it out

反義詞
  • plunge

    to go into water forcefully and completely, the opposite of gentle dipping

文法句型

dabble + [body part] + in + [water/liquid]

dabble + in + [water/liquid]

用法筆記

Can be used transitively with a body part as the object (e.g., dabble your feet) or intransitively (e.g., dabble in the water). Especially common in descriptions of children, leisure activities, and gentle interactions with water.

常見錯誤

❌She dabbled the water.
✅She dabbled her fingers in the water.
💡When used transitively, 'dabble' needs a body part, not the water itself, as the direct object.