# jab

> English word · Noun · IPA /d͡ʒæb/ · frequency rank #18,352

## Definitions
1. A quick stab or blow; a poking or thrusting motion.
2. A short straight punch.
3. A medical hypodermic injection (vaccination or inoculation).
4. A vaccination, whether or not delivered by means of a conventional injection.
5. A mild verbal insult.

## Etymology
Originally a Scottish (unclear if Scots or Scottish English) form of English job (“peck, poke, thrust”), from Middle English jobben.

## Easily confused with
- **Jr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jr)
- **jo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jo)
- **JI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-ji)
- **Ju** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-ju)
- **JD** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jd)
- **JK** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jk)
- **JB** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jb)
- **JV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jv)
- **JW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jw)
- **JG** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jg)
- **job** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-job)
- **Joe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-joe)
- **Jim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jim)
- **joy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-joy)
- **Jan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jan)
- **jay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jay)
- **Jon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jon)
- **jet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jet)
- **jam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jam)
- **jaw** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jab-vs-jaw)

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