Library / English Dictionary

JAB

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected forms: jabbed    , jabbing   

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of touching someone suddenly with your finger or elbow

Example:

she gave me a sharp dig in the ribs

Synonyms:

dig; jab

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("jab" is a kind of...):

touch; touching (the act of putting two things together with no space between them)

Derivation:

jab (poke or thrust abruptly)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A quick short straight punch

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("jab" is a kind of...):

biff; clout; lick; poke; punch; slug ((boxing) a blow with the fist)

Derivation:

jab (strike or punch with quick and short blows)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)

Example:

he made a thrusting motion with his fist

Synonyms:

jab; jabbing; poke; poking; thrust; thrusting

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("jab" is a kind of...):

gesture (motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling)

Derivation:

jab (strike or punch with quick and short blows)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Poke or thrust abruptly

Example:

he jabbed his finger into her ribs

Synonyms:

dig; jab; poke; prod; stab

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "jab" is one way to...):

thrust (push forcefully)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody PP
Somebody ----s something PP

Derivation:

jab (the act of touching someone suddenly with your finger or elbow)

jabbing (a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Stab or pierce

Example:

he jabbed the piece of meat with his pocket knife

Synonyms:

jab; stab

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "jab" is one way to...):

thrust (push forcefully)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "jab"):

goad; prick (stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sense 3

Meaning:

Strike or punch with quick and short blows

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "jab" is one way to...):

strike (deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s PP

Sentence example:

The fighter managed to jab his opponent

Derivation:

jab (a quick short straight punch)

jab (a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow))

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