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dabbler

dab·ble
D d

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [dab-uh l]
    • /ˈdæb əl/
    • /ˈdæb.l̩/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [dab-uh l]
    • /ˈdæb əl/

Definitions of dabbler word

  • verb without object dabbler to play and splash in or as if in water, especially with the hands. 1
  • verb without object dabbler to work at anything in an irregular or superficial manner: to dabble in literature. 1
  • verb without object dabbler (of a duck) to feed on shallow-water vegetation with rapid, splashing movements of the bill. 1
  • verb with object dabbler to wet slightly in or with a liquid; splash; spatter. 1
  • verb with object dabbler Chiefly South Midland U.S. to wash or rinse off lightly. 1
  • noun dabbler One who dabbles. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of dabbler

First appearance:

before 1550
One of the 31% oldest English words
1550-60; probably dab1 + -le; compare Dutch dabbelen, dabben

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Dabbler

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

dabbler popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 78% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

dabbler usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for dabbler

noun dabbler

  • dilettante — a person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement, especially in a desultory or superficial way; dabbler.
  • beginner — A beginner is someone who has just started learning to do something and cannot do it very well yet.
  • novice — a person who is new to the circumstances, work, etc., in which he or she is placed; beginner; tyro: a novice in politics.
  • abecedarian — a person who is learning the alphabet or the rudiments of a subject
  • loafer — a person who loafs; lazy person; idler.

Antonyms for dabbler

noun dabbler

  • professional — following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain: a professional builder.

Top questions with dabbler

  • what is a dabbler?
  • one who is a dabbler in arts science or literature?

See also

Matching words

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