verb
dabble
DAB-ul/ˈdæbl/
To dip into something lightly and briefly.
She dabbles in painting but has no plans to sell her work.
Etymology
Probably formed from dab with a repeated-action ending, dabble first meant dipping a little and often, then splashing. That light contact became an image for taking part superficially.
In context
They can dabble, they can take a random survey course with me, but it's not somehow for them.
More examples
- I dabbled in gardening but never grew more than herbs.
- He enjoys dabbling in photography on weekends.
- The child dabbles her fingers in the cool water.
Forms
dabble · dabbles · dabbled · dabbling
dabbler noun — Someone who pursues an activity without serious commitment.
Similar words
- experiment
- Experiment suggests purposeful testing rather than merely casual involvement.
- dip
- Dip describes brief immersion without necessarily suggesting repeated light splashing.