noun
jab
jab
noun
1
A quick, sharp poke or short straight punch.
"He landed a fast jab to his opponent's chin."
"She gave him a playful jab in the ribs."
2
British informal: an injection, especially a vaccination.
"I'm booked in for my flu jab next week."
3
A cutting remark aimed at someone.
"His speech was full of jabs at his rivals."
verb
1
To poke or punch sharply and quickly.
"She jabbed her finger at the map to show where they were."
"The boxer jabbed repeatedly to keep his opponent at bay."
2
To give someone an injection.
"The nurse jabbed his arm before he even noticed the needle."
How to Use Jab
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA quick poke, punch, or (in British English) a vaccination shot — also used for a cutting verbal remark.
UK vs US
"Jab" meaning vaccination is standard British English; American English almost always says "shot" instead.
Common pairings
flu jab
left jab
take a jab at
Word Forms
jabbed past tense, jabs plural, jabs singular
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He landed a fast _____ to his opponent's chin.
Etymology
Originally a Scots/Scottish English variant of "job" meaning to peck or poke, from Middle English "jobben".