# dab

> English word · Verb · IPA /dæb/ · frequency rank #19,056

## Definitions
1. To press lightly in a repetitive motion with a soft object without rubbing.
2. To apply a substance in this way.
3. To strike by a thrust; to hit with a sudden blow or thrust.
4. To apply hash oil to a heated surface for the purpose of efficient combustion.
5. To perform the dab dance move; to move both arms, parallel with one's head, to either side of the body.
6. Synonym of daub (to mark a bingo card)

## Etymology
From Middle English dabben (“to strike”), probably of North Germanic origin, related to Old Icelandic dabba (“to tap, slap”), perhaps ultimately imitative. Compare also with Middle Dutch dabben (“to pinch, knead, fumble, dabble”) (Dutch dabben (“(of a horse) to stamp with the forelegs”)), Dutch deppen (“to dab”), possibly German tappen (“to fumble, grope”).
The noun is from Middle English dabbe (“a strike, blow”), from the verb. Related to tap. Compare also drub, dub.
African-American sense of “playful box” perhaps influenced by dap (“fistbump”).

## Easily confused with
- **do** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-do)
- **Dr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-dr)
- **de** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-de)
- **DC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-dc)
- **di** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-di)
- **DJ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-dj)
- **DM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-dm)
- **DB** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-db)
- **DS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-ds)
- **DD** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-dd)
- **DL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-dl)
- **DT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-dt)
- **DP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-dp)
- **dw** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-dw)
- **Dx** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-dx)
- **DG** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-dg)
- **DV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-dv)
- **dy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-dy)
- **DQ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-dq)
- **did** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dab-vs-did)

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