dab C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities US /dæb/ UK /dæb/ See IPA manual Minimal pairs Sounds like dob /æ/ vs /ɑ/ Meanings 1 verb to press lightly with something soft; a small quantity She dabbed a little ointment on the wound. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 verb · to press lightly with... pattapblotdaubtouchsmear Word family Derived forms dabberdabbing Related forms daubdabble Etymology AI details From Middle English dabben ('to strike'), of uncertain origin, probably imitative; the noun sense 'small quantity' developed from the verb. Topics Describing Qualities External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # dab **Type:** Word **Level:** C2+ **Part of speech:** verb **IPA (US):** /dæb/ **IPA (UK):** /dæb/ ## Meanings 1. to press lightly with something soft; a small quantity ## Examples - She dabbed a little ointment on the wound. ## Synonyms - pat - tap - blot - daub - touch - smear ## Derived Forms - dabber - dabbing ## Related Forms - daub - dabble ## Etymology From Middle English dabben ('to strike'), of uncertain origin, probably imitative; the noun sense 'small quantity' developed from the verb. ## AI Etymology Dab is from Middle English dabben ('to strike'), of uncertain origin, probably imitative; the noun sense 'small quantity' developed from the verb. In present-day use, it means to press lightly with something soft; a small quantity. Derived formations include dabber and dabbing. Related vocabulary includes daub and dabble. ## Topics - Describing Qualities markdown