Dab

/dæb/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To press lightly in a repetitive motion with a soft object without rubbing..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To press lightly in a repetitive motion with a soft object without rubbing.
2. (transitive) To apply a substance in this way.
3. To strike by a thrust; to hit with a sudden blow or thrust.
4. (slang) To apply hash oil to a heated surface for the purpose of efficient combustion.
5. (dance, intransitive) To perform the dab dance move; to move both arms, parallel with one's head, to either side of the body.
6. (bingo) Synonym of daub (to mark a bingo card)
7. A soft tap or blow; a blow or peck from a bird's beak; an aimed blow.
8. (African-American Vernacular) A soft, playful box given in greeting or approval.

Example Sentences

I dabbed my face with a towel.

Dab the tears from your eyes.

The nurse will dab some ointment on that gash.

1532-1533, Thomas More, The Confutation of Tyndale's Answer to dabbe him in the necke

Breach hit a line, Zoe Harrison dabbed a kick in behind and Abby Dow chased like fury.

Look, my bruddas don't dab, we just vossi bop

I promise you nothing,' said the dolls' dressmaker, dabbing two dabs at him with her needle, as if she put out both his eyes.

“It was the most absurd kiss. I don't believe he'd ever kissed a woman in his life before. I threw my head back, and it was a sort of slidy, pecking dab, just on the end of the chin — here.” Mrs. Hauksbee tapped her masculine little chin with her fan.

Synonyms for dab

Antonyms for dab

Related Words

Word Forms

• dabs
• dabbing
• dabbed
• more dab
• most dab

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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