# dabble vs dribble

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### dabble
*verb · IPA /ˈdæb.əl/ · frequency rank #42,590*
To make slightly wet or soiled by spattering or sprinkling a liquid (such as water, mud, or paint) on it; to bedabble.

### dribble
*verb · IPA /ˈdɹɪ.bəl/ · frequency rank #26,766*
In various ball games, to move (with) the ball, controlling its path by kicking or bouncing it repeatedly.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dabble-vs-dribble