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Dabbling: meaning, definitions and examples

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dabbling

 

[ ˈdæblɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

engaging casually

Dabbling refers to the act of taking part in an activity in a casual or superficial way. It often implies a lack of serious commitment or depth. People may dabble in various pursuits, such as art, music, or gardening, exploring them without intense dedication. This term can suggest a lighthearted approach to activities, where one experiments or plays with different interests rather than pursuing them rigorously.

Synonyms

experimenting, playing, slight engagement, tinkering, trifling

Examples of usage

  • She enjoys dabbling in painting on the weekends.
  • He has dabbled in several musical instruments over the years.
  • They are just dabbling in coding as a hobby.

Translations

Translations of the word "dabbling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 música experimental

🇮🇳 हल्के से करना

🇩🇪 herumspielen

🇮🇩 mencelup

🇺🇦 занурення

🇵🇱 mieszanie

🇯🇵 触れること

🇫🇷 tâtonnement

🇪🇸 experimentar

🇹🇷 karıştırma

🇰🇷 가볍게 다루다

🇸🇦 التجريب

🇨🇿 pohybování

🇸🇰 miesenie

🇨🇳 浅尝辄止

🇸🇮 mešanje

🇮🇸 stunda

🇰🇿 бұзушылық

🇬🇪 შეხება

🇦🇿 toxuma

🇲🇽 jugar con

Etymology

The word 'dabble' traces its origins to the early 17th century, deriving from the Middle English word 'dabblen', which means to splash or wet. It is believed to have connections with the term 'dab', which means to lightly touch or apply. Over time, the meaning of 'dabble' evolved from its original sense of splashing around in water to a broader context of engaging in activities lightly or superficially. This shift in meaning reflects the playful and experimental connotation that 'dabbling' carries today. In the 19th century, the usage of the term began to be applied to various fields, indicating a light and informal approach to learning or engaging in different hobbies and interests. The evolution of 'dabble' encapsulates the idea of exploration and casual engagement with the world around us.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,131 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.