dabs
/dæbz/
NOUN
1. Small, gentle touches or blows
Light taps, soft blows, or brief touches made with a hand, finger, or another object.
1.1. Light taps and gentle blows
A series of soft, brief strikes or touches, often made playfully or with little force.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- punches
- smashes
- heavy blows
- whacks
Examples
- The child gives the puppy gentle dabs on the nose.
- The bird makes quick dabs at the surface of the water.
Related Words
NOUN
2. Small amounts or spots of a substance
Small quantities or blobs of a soft, wet, or semi-liquid substance.
2.1. Small quantities of a substance
Small portions of liquid, cream, paint, or another substance applied or placed on a surface.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- abundances
- quantities
- loads
- masses
- surpluses
Examples
- She applied small dabs of paint to the canvas.
- The artist added bright dabs of color to the picture.
- He placed a few dabs of cream on his face.
Related Words
- specks
- flecks
- smidgens
- portions
- splashes
- streaks
- coatings
NOUN
3. Marks or fingerprints
Fingerprints or small marks left by fingers on a surface.
3.1. Fingerprints and finger marks
Visible impressions or smudges left when fingers touch a surface.
Synonyms
- fingerprints
- finger marks
- impressions
- smudges
Examples
- The police found several dabs on the glass.
- He wiped the dabs from the polished surface.
Related Words
- thumbprints
- handprints
- traces
- identification
- residue
- smears
NOUN
4. A dance gesture
A popular hip-hop dance move in which a person lowers their head toward a bent arm while extending the other arm.
4.1. Hip-hop dance moves
Performances of the recognizable dance gesture in which the head is tucked into one elbow while the opposite arm is extended.
Synonyms
- dab moves
- dance gestures
Examples
- The children performed their dabs during the school talent show.
- He added a few dabs to the dance routine.
Related Words
NOUN
5. Skilled or expert people
People who are particularly skilled or proficient in a specific activity or field.
5.1. Expertise and proficiency
People recognized for their considerable ability, knowledge, or experience in a particular activity.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- amateurs
- beginners
- novices
- inexperts
- dilettantes
Examples
- The mechanics are real dabs at repairing vintage engines.
- They are dabs at solving difficult technical problems.
Related Words
NOUN
6. Small flatfish
Small flatfish belonging to the dab group, especially the European dab.
6.1. Marine fish
Small edible flatfish found in coastal waters, particularly in the North Atlantic and nearby seas.
Synonyms
- European dabs
- flatfish
Examples
- The fishermen brought several dabs to the market.
- Dabs are commonly caught in shallow coastal waters.
Related Words
- flounder
- plaice
- sole
- Citharichthys
- Pleuronectidae
- marine fish
VERB
7. Applying or pressing lightly
Performs a light pressing motion, usually with a soft object, to apply or absorb a substance without rubbing.
7.1. Blotting or touching lightly
Touches a surface repeatedly and gently with a cloth, tissue, or other soft material to absorb liquid or remove something.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- rubs
- scrubs
- wipes vigorously
Examples
- She dabs her eyes with a tissue.
- He dabs the spilled water with a towel.
- The painter dabs the brush gently against the canvas.
Related Words
- blotting
- absorbing
- tissue
- cloth
- stain
- moisture
7.2. Applying a substance in small amounts
Places or spreads small quantities of a substance onto a surface using gentle, repeated touches.
Synonyms
- applies
- daubs
- spots
- dots
- smears
- dollops
Antonyms
- removes
- wipes off
- scrapes off
Examples
- She dabs a little perfume onto her wrists.
- The artist dabs white paint onto the dark background.
- He dabs some ointment onto the affected area.
Related Words
- application
- paint
- cream
- ointment
- cosmetics
- brush
- surface
7.3. Performing the dab dance move
Makes the characteristic dance gesture by lowering the head toward one bent arm while extending the other arm.
Synonyms
- performs the dab
- strikes a dab pose
Examples
- The dancers dab when the music reaches its chorus.
- He dabs for the camera after scoring a goal.
Related Words
- dancing
- hip-hop
- choreography
- dance gesture
- pose