dabbling

IPA/ˈdæb.əl/
KK[dˈæbəlɪŋ]IPA/ˈdæb.əl/

dabbling — verb

  • dabblingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • dabblings3rd person singular
  • dabblinging-ing form
  • dabblingedpast simple

1. to spend a little time trying an activity or learning about a subject, without p

1.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to spend a little time trying an activity or learning about a subject, without planning to do it seriously or for long.

Example

Elise is dabbling in pottery classes before choosing a serious hobby.

dabble in + activity before deeper commitment

Rachid has been dabbling in Italian through cooking videos online.

dabble in + subject

Common collocations
  • dabble in politics
  • dabble in music
  • dabble in languages
  • dabble with design
Synonyms
  • experiment

    suggests trying things out more actively to see what works

  • sample

    often means trying just one small part or one occasion

  • explore

    broader and more neutral; it can be casual or serious

Antonyms
  • specialize

    implies focused, long-term commitment to one field

  • commit

    suggests deciding to continue seriously

Grammar Patterns

dabble in + subject

dabble with + activity

Usage Note

Usually followed by in before a subject area, or with before a practical activity. It suggests curiosity without long-term commitment, unlike studying or training seriously.

Common Mistakes

Rachid is dabbling Italian this summer.
Rachid is dabbling in Italian this summer.
this sense normally takes in before the subject or field.

2. to move a hand, foot, or similar body part lightly around in water for a short t

2.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to move a hand, foot, or similar body part lightly around in water for a short time.

Example

Dahlia sat on the dock, dabbling her toes in the lake.

dabble + body part + in + water

On hot afternoons, Sari loved dabbling her hands in the fountain.

Common collocations
  • dabble your toes
  • dabble your fingers
  • dabble in the lake
  • dabble at the pool edge
Synonyms
  • paddle

    usually suggests feet or hands moving in shallow water

  • dip

    often one brief movement rather than playful motion

  • splash

    more energetic and less gentle than dabble

Grammar Patterns

dabble + body part + in + water

dabble at the edge of + water

Usage Note

The object is usually a hand, foot, finger, or toe, and the place is shallow water. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is physical play in water, not casual interest in a topic.

Common Mistakes

Sari was dabbling the lake with her hands.
Sari was dabbling her hands in the lake.
this sense takes the body part as the object and uses in for the water.

dabbling — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

For verb/1, dabbling means trying something lightly and without much commitment. Sample often refers to testing one small part, such as tasting one dish or taking one class, and it may happen only once. Experiment with suggests a more active search for what works, so it sounds more purposeful. Explore is broader and more neutral: you can explore a topic casually or seriously. Toy with is often even less committed than dabble, and it can suggest playful or half-serious attention. A student might dabble in Italian during one summer, experiment with different study apps, and later explore the language more seriously.

sample ↗experiment withexplore ↗toy with ↗

Etymology

Low GermanDutchEnglish

English dabble probably goes back to a Low German or Dutch verb connected with splashing or moving lightly in water. That physical image later helped produce the figurative sense of showing only a light, temporary interest in a subject or activity.

First known use

1847

1847, in the meaning defined above