How to pronounce dabble
Say it like DAB-ul. Dabble has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DAB).
- DAB
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dabble pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DABSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of dabble
American and British speakers say dabble in essentially the same way: /ˈdæbəl/ in the US and /ˈdæbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: DAB-ul.
What does dabble mean?
- To make slightly wet or soiled by spattering or sprinkling a liquid (such as water, mud, or paint) on it; to bedabble.
- To cause splashing by moving a body part like a bill or limb in soft mud, water, etc., often playfully; to play in shallow water; to paddle.“The children sat on the dock and dabbled their feet in the water.”
- To feed without diving, by submerging the head and neck underwater to seek food, often also tipping up the tail straight upwards above the water.
- A spattering or sprinkling of a liquid.
- An act of splashing in soft mud, water, etc.
- An act of participation in an activity in a casual or superficial way.
Where does dabble come from?
From earlier dable, equivalent to dab + -le (frequentative suffix), possibly from Middle Dutch dabbelen (“to pinch; knead; to fumble; to dabble”); cognate with Icelandic dafla (“to dabble”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with dabble
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of dabble.
Questions about saying dabble
How do you pronounce dabble?
Say DAB-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈdæbəl/. In British English it is /ˈdæbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dabble?
Dabble has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DAB). Broken into parts: DAB · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say dabble the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdæbəl/ and the British form is /ˈdæbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.