dab

8 definitions • 9 examples

to touch something with quick light touches, or to put a substance on something with quick light touches:

dab at She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue.

She dabbed a little perfume behind her ears.

to do a dance move that involves lowering your head and lifting both arms, one straight out to the side and one with the elbow bent:

He posted an Instagram picture of him dabbing.

a small amount of a substance, or a light touch:

dab of Can't you just put a dab of paint over the mark and cover it up?

I'll give that stain a quick dab with a wet cloth.

a dance move that involves lowering your head and lifting both arms, one straight out to the side and one with the elbow bent:

The dab has its origins in the Atlanta hip-hop scene.

abbreviation for

to touch something lightly and quickly, usually repeatedly:

[ I ] He dabbed at his eyes with a tissue.

If you dab something on a surface, you put a small amount of something on it:

[ T ] She dabbed a little perfume on her wrists.

a small amount of a substance:

a dab of lipstick