# stab

/ˈstæb/ (US) · /stˈæb/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stab
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to pierce with a sharp object

verb · CEFR B1

to push a knife or another sharp object into someone or something.

For teachers: to pierce or wound with a pointed tool or weapon. Transitive, requiring a direct object.

- He tried to stab the piece of meat with his fork, but it was too tough.
- The attacker attempted to stab the victim with a concealed blade before being restrained by security personnel.

### 2. to make a poking motion

verb · CEFR B2

to push at something quickly with your finger or a pointed object.

For teachers: to thrust a finger or pointed object at something in a sudden, sharp motion. Often used with the preposition 'at'.

- She used her finger to stab at the buttons on the elevator.
- He continued to stab at the touch screen in frustration, though the device had clearly frozen.

### 3. an attempt

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

an attempt to do something, especially if you are not sure you will succeed.

For teachers: an informal attempt or try at a task or problem.

- I don't know the answer, but I'll take a stab at it anyway.
- Even though she had never repaired a car before, she decided to take a stab at fixing the alternator herself.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'take a stab at'.

### 4. a sharp pain

noun · CEFR B2

a sudden, sharp feeling of physical or emotional pain.

For teachers: a sudden, intense, and brief unpleasant sensation, either physical or psychological.

- She felt a sudden stab of jealousy when she saw his new car.
- A sharp stab of pain in his knee forced him to stop running and sit on the grass.

### 5. a musical chord

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a short, loud note or chord in a piece of music used for drama.

For teachers: a single staccato chord or short musical phrase used to provide dramatic emphasis or rhythmic punctuation.

- The scary movie used a loud horn stab to frighten the audience.
- The arrangement is characterized by aggressive brass stabs that punctuate the end of every lyrical phrase.

## Examples

- I decided to take a stab at fixing the sink myself.
- Even though she had never painted before, she took a stab at a landscape during the weekend workshop.
- While the initial stab at market expansion yielded only modest results, the data gathered proved invaluable for the company's subsequent and more successful strategy.

---

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.