Dabbles

dabbles is the plural form of the noun dabble, or the third‑person singular present tense of the verb dabble. As a verb, to dabble means to engage in an activity only temporarily or superficially, without fully committing or developing significant skill. The term is commonly applied to hobbies, artistic pursuits, academic fields, or professional work, and it often connotes a casual or exploratory approach rather than mastery. Typical expressions include “dabble in painting,” “dabble in coding,” or “dabble in gardening.” In its noun form, a dabble can refer to a small quantity of something, as in “a dabble of salt,” or less commonly to a person who engages in multiple pursuits or an area of modest involvement. The word originates from Middle English dabbla, meaning a slight touch or small amount, first recorded in the 17th century. Synonyms include tinker, toy, experiment, but dabble is distinctive for its implication of light, tentative contact. The phrase “splashing in” is sometimes used interchangeably in informal contexts. Dabbles is used actively in contexts where initiative or experimentation precedes deeper study or long‑term involvement.