The phrasal verb "dabble in" is often used informally to indicate a casual or non-committed involvement in an activity or interest, often as a hobby or side project. It appears more frequently in informal speech rather than formal writing, where one might instead use terms like "engage in" or "undertake." Typical usage contexts include personal hobbies, interests, or exploration of new fields, such as "dabbling in painting" or "dabbling in cooking," suggesting that the involvement is with curiosity rather than expertise. It implies a superficial level of engagement, where the individual does not dedicate substantial time or resources, and it also carries a connotation of experimentation or tentative exploration. "Dabble in" is particularly common in discussions about trying out various activities without serious commitment.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To casually engage in an activity or interest without commitment or in-depth involvement.
Sarah likes to dabble in painting, but she's not planning to pursue it professionally.
Many musicians dabble in other art forms, such as acting or writing.
He dabbled in various sports during school but never took any too seriously.
She decided to dabble in photography after buying a new camera.
Though primarily a scientist, he dabbles in poetry as a hobby.