dab
A little bit of something, often food or salve.
Also called smidgen, bit.
Updated September 21, 2026
dab pronunciation
/DAB/
Meaning
A dab is a small smear or scoop: butter in the skillet, jelly on a biscuit, ointment on a scraped knee. Southern kitchens treat it as a measure you feel more than you weigh. Not much, just enough.
How folks use it
- “Put a dab of butter in that pan before the eggs.”
- “I only need a dab more gravy on these potatoes.”
Origin and etymology
From older English dab, a light touch or small amount, going back to Middle English. Rural Southern and Appalachian speech kept it as everyday kitchen and medicine talk. Blind Pig and The Acorn lists it among living Appalachian vocabulary for a small helping.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a dab?
No exact spoon size. It means a little, and the cook decides how little based on the dish.