Dab Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

To touch something lightly with a quick motion, often to absorb liquid or apply a small amount. Also refers to a small amount of something, or to a popular dance move involving bent arms.

Usage & Nuances

Informal. Often used with 'dab at' (to press lightly), 'dab of cream' (a small amount), and as a noun for the dance. Don't confuse with 'dabble' (to try something slightly). The dance meaning is recent and popular among young people.

• Spanish: tocar ligeramente - gota (de líquido) - toque (baile)
• Portuguese (BR): tocar de leve - pinguinho - dab (dança)
• Portuguese (PT): tocar levemente - pinguinha - dab (dança)
• Chinese (Simplified): 轻拍 - 一点点(液体) - 达布舞（动作）
• Chinese (Traditional): 輕拍 - 一點點(液體) - 達布舞（動作）
• Hindi: हल्की थपकी देना - थोड़ा सा (तरल पदार्थ) - डैब (नृत्य)
• Arabic: يمسح بخفة - قطرة صغيرة - داب (رقصة)
• Bengali: ছোঁয়া - হালকা আঘাত - একটু (পরিমাণ) - ড্যাব (নাচ) (নৃত্য)
• Russian: коснуться - слегка промокнуть - капля (небольшое количество) - дэб (танец)
• Japanese: 軽く触れる - 軽くたたく - 少量 - ダブ（ダンス）
• Vietnamese: chạm nhẹ - thấm nhẹ - một chút (lượng nhỏ) - dab (điệu nhảy)
• Korean: 살짝 대다 - 톡톡 찍다 - 소량 - 댑(춤)
• Turkish: hafifçe dokunmak - biraz (miktar) - dab (dans hareketi)
• Urdu: ہلکے سے چھونا - تھوڑا سا (مقدار) - ڈیب (رقص)
• Indonesian: menyentuh ringan - sedikit (jumlah) - dab (gerakan tari)

Example Sentences

She used a tissue to dab her eyes.

basic

Add a dab of butter to the pan.

basic

He tried to dab the paint on the wall.

basic

Just a dab of hot sauce is enough!

natural

I saw him do the dab at the party last night.

natural

She quickly dabbed at the coffee spill before it stained.

natural