jab

[ jab ]

verb (used with object)

, jabbed, jab·bing.

1. to poke, or thrust abruptly or sharply, as with the end or point of a stick or with the finger or elbow.
2. to punch with a short, quick blow.
3. Informal. to give (a person) a hypodermic injection, especially of a vaccine: I jab myself with insulin twice a day.

   Here’s a list of the countries you can visit if you haven’t been jabbed.

   I jab myself with insulin twice a day.

verb (used without object)

, jabbed, jab·bing.

1. to poke or punch with a sharp, quick blow.

noun

1. a poke with the end or point of something; a sharp, quick thrust.
2. a short, quick punch.
3. Informal. a hypodermic injection, especially of a vaccine:

   Have you gotten your flu jab yet?

4. Informal. an abrupt insult or critical remark:

   That guy has no problem responding with a sarcastic jab.

5. a sudden and unpleasant sensation or emotion: He knew she was happier now, but he still felt the slightest jab of guilt.

   I have jabs of pain, numbness, and tingling in my fingers.

   He knew she was happier now, but he still felt the slightest jab of guilt.

jab

/ dʒæb /

verb

1. to poke or thrust sharply
2. to strike with a quick short blow or blows

noun

1. a sharp poke or stab
2. a quick short blow, esp (in boxing) a straight punch with the leading hand
3. informal.
   an injection

   polio jabs

Derived Forms

• ˈjabbingly, adverb
• ˈjabbing, adjective

Other Words From

• jab·bing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of jab¹

First recorded in 1825–35; variant, originally Scots, of job ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of jab¹

C19: originally Scottish variant of job

Example Sentences

Back then, the artist said he conceived of his work as a satirical jab at market speculation, asking the question, “On what basis does an object acquire value in the art system?”

From New York Times

Talking about the influence of the crosstown rivalry in homes across Southern California, DeShaun Foster could not help but take a jab at the school he wouldn’t call by name.

From Los Angeles Times

A straight left jab followed by a short right hand left Miocic with a cut below his right eye midway through the fight, before the defining moment came.

From BBC

There is some uncertainty, especially in the proportion of people who did not receive a jab.

From BBC

The 2019 murder of 76-year-old Chyong Jen Tsai was as gruesome as it was unexpected; the Arcadia grandmother was found dead in her own backyard after she was viciously attacked with a hammer, a jab saw and a box cutter, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dig
• punch