noun
Uncommon
jab
jab
Jab (noun) means a quick, sharp poke or short straight punch. Example: “He landed a fast jab to his opponent's chin.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- jabs
- Third person singular
- jabs
- Past tense
- jabbed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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".
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “jab” mean?
The word “jab” means a quick, sharp poke or short straight punch. In plain terms, a quick poke, punch, or (in British English) a vaccination shot — also used for a cutting verbal remark.
How do you pronounce “jab”?
“Jab” is pronounced jab (/d͡ʒæb/ in IPA).
How do you use “jab” in a sentence?
Here is “jab” used in a sentence: “He landed a fast jab to his opponent's chin.”
What part of speech is “jab”?
Depending on how it is used, “jab” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “jab” come from?
The word “jab” comes from Middle English. Originally a Scots/Scottish English variant of "job" meaning to peck or poke, from Middle English "jobben".
Is “jab” a common word?
“Jab” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “jab” have?
“Jab” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a quick, sharp poke or short straight punch.
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