jab

[jab]

verb (used with object)

jabbed, jabbing 

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, jabbing 

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

Other Word Forms

• jabbingly adverb
• jabbing adjective

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

The narrative is less sucker punch than brilliant feints and jabs.

From Los Angeles Times

Infants are first offered a jab which protects against whooping cough at eight weeks old.

From BBC

Measles had been largely been eradicated but, as the uptake of the jab has fallen, the number of cases has grown.

From BBC

She said that after discussing "all of the normal things" with the bride about their dress and their wedding, she asks outright if the brides are using slimming jabs.

From BBC

It will be given as two doses, at 12 and 18 months of age, combined with the existing MMR jab which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

From BBC

Related Words

• dig 
• punch