dabble

Try without committing

To dabble is to splash or play in water with hands or feet, like a child at the edge of a pool.

Ducks dabble when they feed in shallow water, tipping forward to reach below the surface.

The word extends to casual or superficial involvement in an activity: She dabbles in painting but never commits to it.

A dabbler tries things without serious dedication.

casual

hobby

Recreational leisure activity

pastimeRecreational pursuit
amateurNonprofessional participant
noviceInexperienced newcomer to field

beginner · dilettante · dalliance · flirtation · trifle · toy · putter · tinker · fiddle · play

water

splash

Liquid scattering on impact

puddleShallow collected rainwater
rippleMinor surface disturbance
paddleFlat-bladed water tool

wade · dip · sprinkle · wet · droplets · plash · spatter · slosh · immerse · bathe

superficial

skim

Pass over lightly

browseSurvey without intent
glanceBrief, casual look
scanBrief visual sweep

survey · scratch · surface · cursory · brief · passing · fleeting · touch · graze · skirt

Categories

-le/-er verbsbabble, bubble, bumble, burble, crackle
fidgetingfidgeting, fidget, tapping, fiddle, finger tapping
idlingidle, idled, loaf, loafed, laze
shading techniqueshatching, crosshatch, pointillism, gradient, tone
specklesspeck, fleck, dot, spot, freckle
trial runstest, trial run, test run, dry run, tryout

Opposites

depth of engagement

dabblemaster

Authority or controller

specialize · commit · immerse · devote · focus

physical action with water/liquid

Plunge into liquid entirely

submerge · plunge · dunk · soak · drench

Family

dabbler, dabbling, dabbled, dabblers, dabbles, dabblings

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G