Dab vs. Daub: What's the Difference?
By Janet White & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 22, 2024
"Dab" means a light touch or stroke, often used in applying small amounts, while "daub" refers to the action of applying something roughly or carelessly, usually with a thick or sticky substance.
Key Differences
"Dab" involves a gentle, light touch or application, typically done with precision. It often implies a careful or delicate approach, such as dabbing a small amount of makeup or paint onto a surface. In contrast, "daub" involves a more forceful or careless application, usually resulting in a thicker layer. This term is often used to describe spreading a substance like mud or paint in an uneven or haphazard manner.
When applying makeup, one might dab a bit of concealer onto blemishes to blend them in smoothly. On the other hand, when working with plaster or paint, one might daub it onto a wall, resulting in a thicker, less uniform coating. The precision and intention behind the application often distinguish the two terms.
Dabbing is typically associated with small, controlled actions and finer results. For instance, dabbing perfume onto the wrist ensures a light, measured amount. Conversely, daubing usually leads to a more substantial and often messier application, such as daubing mud onto a wall for a rustic effect.
The tools used for these actions also differ. A dab might be done with a small brush or finger for precision, while daubing might involve a larger tool like a trowel or a hand for spreading material over a broader area. This reflects the careful nature of dabbing versus the rougher approach of daubing.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Light touch or stroke
Rough, careless application
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Typical Use
Applying small amounts of makeup, paint, etc.
Spreading thick or sticky substances
Precision
High precision
Low precision
Result
Smooth, light application
Thick, uneven coating
Tools
Small brush, finger
Trowel, hand
Dab and Daub Definitions
Dab
A small amount applied with a quick touch.
Just a dab of glue will do.
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Daub
To apply something thickly or carelessly.
They daubed mud on the walls to insulate the hut.
Dab
To apply with short poking strokes
Dabbed some paint on the worn spots.
Daub
To spread clumsily.
She daubed butter on the bread in a hurry.
Dab
To cover lightly with a moist substance
Dabbed the back of the fabric with glue.
Daub
To cover or smear with a soft adhesive substance such as plaster, grease, or mud.
Dab
To rub or pat (something) lightly
Dabbed his eye with the corner of his sleeve.
Daub
To apply paint to (a surface) with hasty or crude strokes.
Dab
To press (something) lightly against an object or surface
Dabbed a napkin to her lips.
Daub
To apply with quick or crude strokes
Daubed glue on the paper.
Dab
To remove or brush away with light strokes
Dabbed the tears from the child's eyes.
Daub
To apply paint or coloring with crude, unskillful strokes.
Dab
To make light patting or stroking motions
Dabbed at the wound with a piece of gauze.
Daub
To make crude or amateurish paintings.
Dab
A small amount
A dab of jelly.
Daub
To daub a sticky material.
Dab
A quick light pat.
Daub
The act or a stroke of daubing.
Dab
Any of various flatfishes, especially the edible Limanda limanda of northeast Atlantic waters.
Daub
A soft adhesive coating material such as plaster, grease, or mud.
Dab
A dab hand.
Daub
Matter daubed on.
Dab
(transitive) To press lightly in a repetitive motion with a soft object without rubbing.
I dabbed my face with a towel.
Daub
A crude, amateurish painting or picture.
Dab
(transitive) To apply a substance in this way.
He dabbed moisturizing liquid on his face.
Daub
Excrement or clay used as a bonding material in construction.
Dab
To strike by a thrust; to hit with a sudden blow or thrust.
Daub
A soft coating of mud, plaster, etc.
Dab
(slang) To apply hash oil to a heated surface for the purpose of efficient combustion.
Daub
A crude or amateurish painting.
Dab
To perform the dab dance move, by moving both arms to one side of the body parallel with your head.
Daub
To apply (something) to a surface in hasty or crude strokes.
The artist just seemed to daub on paint at random and suddenly there was a painting.
Dab
A soft tap or blow; a blow or peck from a bird's beak; an aimed blow.
Daub
(transitive) To paint (a picture, etc.) in a coarse or unskilful manner.
Dab
(AAVE) A soft, playful box given in greeting or approval.
Daub
To cover with a specious or deceitful exterior; to disguise; to conceal.
Dab
A small amount, a blob of some soft or wet substance.
A dab of glue
Daub
To flatter excessively or grossly.
Dab
(slang) A small amount of hash oil.
Daub
To put on without taste; to deck gaudily.
Dab
Fingerprint.
Daub
To smear with soft, adhesive matter, as pitch, slime, mud, etc.; to plaster; to bedaub; to besmear.
She took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch.
Dab
(dance) A hip hop dance move in which the dancer simultaneously drops the head while raising an arm, briefly resting their face in the elbow, as if sneezing into their elbow.
Daub
To paint in a coarse or unskillful manner.
If a picture is daubed with many bright and glaring colors, the vulgar admire it is an excellent piece.
A lame, imperfect piece, rudely daubed over.
Dab
(obsolete) A dabbler.
Daub
To cover with a specious or deceitful exterior; to disguise; to conceal.
So smooth he daubed his vice with show of virtue.
Dab
One skilful or proficient; an expert; an adept.
Daub
To flatter excessively or glossy.
I can safely say, however, that, without any daubing at all,I am very sincerely your very affectionate, humble servant.
Dab
A small flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae, especially Limanda limanda; a flounder.
Daub
To put on without taste; to deck gaudily.
Let him be daubed with lace.
Dab
(US) A sand dab, a small flatfish of genus Citharichthys.
Daub
To smear; to play the flatterer.
His conscience . . . will not daub nor flatter.
Dab
With a dab, or sudden contact.
Daub
A viscous, sticky application; a spot smeared or daubed; a smear.
Dab
Bad.
Daub
A picture coarsely executed.
Did you . . . take a look at the grand picture? . . . 'T is a melancholy daub, my lord.
Dab
A skillful hand; a dabster; an expert.
One excels at a plan or the titlepage, another works away at the body of the book, and the third is a dab at an index.
Daub
Material used to daub walls
Dab
A name given to several species of flounders, esp. to the European species, Pleuronectes limanda. The American rough dab is Hippoglossoides platessoides.
Daub
A blemish made by dirt;
He had a smudge on his cheek
Dab
A gentle blow with the hand or some soft substance; a sudden blow or hit; a peck.
A scratch of her claw, a dab of her beak.
Daub
An unskillful painting
Dab
A small mass of anything soft or moist.
Daub
Coat with plaster;
Daub the wall
Dab
To strike or touch gently, as with a soft or moist substance; to tap; hence, to besmear with a dabber.
A sore should . . . be wiped . . . only by dabbing it over with fine lint.
Daub
Apply to a surface;
Daub paint onto the wall
Dab
To strike by a thrust; to hit with a sudden blow or thrust.
Daub
Cover (a surface) by smearing (a substance) over it;
Smear the wall with paint
Daub the ceiling with plaster
Dab
A light touch or stroke
Daub
A rough, hasty application of a substance.
He daubed paint onto the canvas without a plan.
Dab
A small quantity of something moist or soft;
A dab of paint
A splatter of mud
Daub
To cover with a sticky or thick substance.
The children daubed the fence with bright colors.
Dab
Apply (usually a liquid) to a surface;
Dab the wall with paint
Daub
An uneven or rough application.
The artist daubed the wall with bold strokes of paint.
Dab
Hit lightly;
Pat him on the shoulder
Dab
A light touch or stroke.
She used a brush to dab a bit of blush on her cheeks.
Dab
To apply gently and sparingly.
He dabbed ointment on the cut.
Dab
To lightly press against a surface.
Dab the stain with a damp cloth.
Dab
A quick, gentle application.
She dabbed her eyes with a tissue.
FAQs
What does "daub" mean?
"Daub" refers to applying a substance roughly or carelessly, often resulting in a thick or uneven layer.
How do you use "daub" in a sentence?
e.g., He daubed the wall with plaster.
What does "dab" mean?
"Dab" means a light touch or stroke, often used for applying small amounts carefully.
Is "dab" usually precise or imprecise?
"Dab" is usually precise.
Is "daub" usually precise or imprecise?
"Daub" is usually imprecise.
What is an example of dabbing?
e.g., Dabbing a cotton ball with alcohol onto a cut.
Is daubing associated with light or heavy application?
Daubing is associated with heavy application.
How do you use "dab" in a sentence?
e.g., She dabbed a bit of perfume behind her ears.
What is an example of daubing?
e.g., Daubing clay onto a sculpture.
Can you "dab" paint?
Yes, you can dab paint for a light, controlled application.
Is "dab" more likely used for delicate tasks?
Yes, "dab" is used for delicate tasks.
Can "dab" imply a small quantity?
Yes, "dab" often implies a small quantity.
Can you "daub" paint?
Yes, you can daub paint for a thicker, more haphazard application.
Is dabbing associated with light or heavy application?
Dabbing is associated with light application.
What tool might you use to dab?
A small brush or finger.
Can "daub" imply a large quantity?
Yes, "daub" often implies a large quantity.
Does dabbing result in an even application?
Yes, dabbing usually results in an even application.
Does daubing result in an even application?
No, daubing usually results in an uneven application.
What tool might you use to daub?
A trowel or hand.
Is "daub" more likely used for rough tasks?
Yes, "daub" is used for rough tasks.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
