Library / English Dictionary

DABBLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Bob forward and under so as to feed off the bottom of a body of water

Example:

dabbling ducks

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "dabble" is one way to...):

bob (move up and down repeatedly)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 2

Meaning:

Dip a foot or hand briefly into a liquid

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "dabble" is one way to...):

dip; douse; dunk; plunge; souse (immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something PP

Sense 3

Meaning:

Work with in an amateurish manner

Example:

He plays around with investments but he never makes any money

Synonyms:

dabble; play around; smatter

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "dabble" is one way to...):

busy; occupy (keep busy with)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s VERB-ing

Derivation:

dabbler (an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Play in or as if in water, as of small children

Synonyms:

dabble; paddle; splash around

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "dabble" is one way to...):

play (be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP

Credits