dabble

/'dæbl/
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dabble

A duck dabbled in the shallow pond.

Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To dip, move, or splash something (especially hands or feet) gently and briefly in a liquid: The core meaning involves a light, casual, or playful contact with water or another liquid.
    • To engage in an activity or interest in a superficial, non-serious, or amateur way: This figurative meaning describes pursuing something without deep commitment, expertise, or serious intent.
Examples of Usage

  • Literal (in liquid):

    • The child liked to dabble her fingers in the cool stream.
    • The ducks dabble in the shallow pond, feeding on plants.

  • Figurative (in an activity):

    • He doesn't have a formal job in finance; he just dabbles in the stock market.
    • She dabbles in painting, taking a class now and then for fun.
Advanced Usage

  • "to dabble at (something)": To try something in a hesitant or unskilled manner.

    • He dabbled at writing a novel but never finished the first chapter.

  • "to dabble with (an idea/concept)": To experiment or tinker with something casually.

    • The artist dabbled with digital media before returning to oils.
Variants and Related Words
  • Dabbler (noun): A person who dabbles in an activity; an amateur or dilettante.
    • He was a dabbler in many hobbies but a master of none.
Synonyms
  • Literal: Splash, paddle, dip, immerse briefly.
  • Figurative: Toy with, trifle with, tinker, flirt with, amateur.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Dabble in: This is the most common construction for the figurative sense.
    • She has dabbled in photography, pottery, and even beekeeping over the years.
Related Idioms
  • "To dabble one's toes/fingers in": Often used literally but can be a metaphor for trying something new cautiously.
    • After retiring, he decided to dabble his toes in local politics.
dabble

A duck dabbled in the shallow pond.

Verb
  1. bob forward and under so as to feed off the bottom of a body of water
    • dabbling ducks
  2. work with in an amateurish manner
    • She dabbles in astronomy
    • He plays around with investments but he never makes any money
  3. play in or as if in water, as of small children
  4. dip a foot or hand briefly into a liquid

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