dab

A small amount of something soft or wet.

• Add a dab of butter.
• She covered the scratch with a dab of paint.
• Would a small dab of glue hold it in place?

How to use it: a dab of something (Put a dab of cream on your hand.)

Similar words: blob, drop

Common phrases: a dab of, small dab, dab of cream

A light touch or hit, including a quick hit from a bird’s beak.

• Give the mark a gentle dab.
• A dab with a damp cloth removed the spot.
• The bird gave his finger a quick dab with its beak.

Similar words: tap, pat, peck

Common phrases: gentle dab, dab with something, dab on something

A light, friendly hit given to greet someone or show approval.

• He gave me a friendly dab on the shoulder.
• She greeted her brother with a playful dab.
• A gentle dab on the back showed his approval.

Similar words: tap, pat

Common phrases: a friendly dab, a gentle dab, give a dab

A small amount of strong oil made from cannabis.

• The dab contained concentrated cannabis oil.
• He heated the dab in a special pipe.
• The package held several small dabs.

Similar words: blob, ace, atom, thought

Common phrases: a cannabis dab, take a dab

To press something gently several times with a soft cloth or similar object, without rubbing.

• Dab your face with the towel.
• He dabbed at the sweat on his forehead.
• She gently dabbed the wet paint with a sponge.

How to use it: dab something with something (Dab your face with a clean towel.); dab at something (She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue.)

Similar words: pat

Common phrases: dab someone’s face, dab with something, dab at something

To put a small amount of something onto a surface with gentle touches.

• Dab some cream on your skin.
• She dabbed blue paint onto the paper.
• He dabbed a little glue on each corner.

How to use it: dab something on/onto something (Dab a little cream onto the sore area.)

Similar words: apply, dot

Common phrases: dab cream on, dab paint onto, dab on something

To hit or push at someone with a quick, sudden movement.

• He dabbed the man in the neck.
• The attacker dabbed at him with a stick.
• She dabbed him in the shoulder with her fist.

How to use it: dab someone in something (The fighter dabbed his opponent in the ribs.)

Similar words: jab, strike

Common phrases: dab at someone, dab someone hard

To put strong cannabis oil on a hot surface so it burns and its smoke can be breathed in.

• He used to dab cannabis oil.
• They dabbed the concentrate on a heated surface.
• She said she had never dabbed hash oil.

Common phrases: dab cannabis oil, dab hash oil, dab a concentrate