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Definition of dabbler

dabbler

/ˈdæb.lər/
dab · bler
Plural:dabblers
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dabbler Lexical Profile

dabbler Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who engages in an activity, art, or field of study in a casual, superficial, or intermittent way without deep commitment or expertise.

Example

"He considered himself a mere dabbler in watercolor painting rather than a serious artist."

2

A dabbling duck of the family Anatidae (such as the mallard, pintail, or teal) that feeds primarily by skimming the water's surface or tipping headfirst into shallow water rather than diving.

Example

"The shallow marshland attracted numerous dabblers, including mallards and northern pintails foraging among the reeds."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for dabbler

• Nearby Words

dab
dabber
dabble
dabbler
daboecia
daboia
dace

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 17th century from the verb 'dabble' plus the agent suffix '-er'. The verb 'dabble' originates from early modern Dutch 'dabbelen' (to splash in water or mud), a frequentative form related to 'dab'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dabbler. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dabbler
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