# dabbling

/ˈdæbəɫɪŋ/ (US) · /dˈæblɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dabbling
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

to try something in a light, casual way without giving it full time or effort. You use this when someone paints, cooks, or invests just for fun, not as a serious job.

For teachers: to engage in an activity in a casual or superficial way, without serious commitment. Often followed by 'in' plus the activity concerned.

## Examples

- She is dabbling in painting on weekends.
- After retirement he started dabbling in gardening, growing tomatoes and herbs in small pots on his balcony.
- While dabbling in photography taught her to notice light and shadow, she never pursued it beyond weekend walks with an old camera.

## Synonyms

experiment

## Antonyms

specialize

## Pitfalls

- Not "dabbling painting" but "dabbling in painting" — Dabble takes 'in' before the activity; the preposition cannot be omitted.

## Usage notes

- Takes the preposition 'in' before the activity ('dabble in music').

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.