Definition of "dab" in English

verb

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

   • I dabbed my face with a towel.
   • Dab the tears from your eyes.

2. (transitive) To apply a substance in this way.

   • The nurse will dab some ointment on that gash.

3. To strike by a thrust; to hit with a sudden blow or thrust.

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

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)

noun

1. A soft tap or blow; a blow or peck from a bird's beak; an aimed blow.

2. (African-American Vernacular) A soft, playful box given in greeting or approval.

3. A small amount, a blob of some soft or wet substance.

   • a dab of glue

4. (chiefly in the plural, dated, British) Fingerprint.

5. (dance) A hip hop dance move in which the dancer simultaneously drops the head while raising an arm, briefly resting their face in the elbow, as if sneezing into their elbow.

6. (obsolete) A dabbler.

adverb

1. With a dab, or sudden contact.

noun

1. One who is skilful or proficient; an expert; an adept.

noun

1. A small flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae, especially Limanda limanda; a flounder.

2. (US) A sand dab, a small flatfish of genus Citharichthys.

adjective

1. (obsolete, costermongers) Bad.