What does "jab" mean?
A quick stab or blow; a poking or thrusting motion.
Jab
/d͡ʒæb/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A quick stab or blow; a poking or thrusting motion.
- Grammar: jab is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: poke, thrust, assault, back answer.
- Useful contrasts: avoid, block, compliment.
- Usage evidence: Tyson followed up the jab with a left hook.
How to use "jab"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "jab" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "jab" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "jab" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "jab" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "jab" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "poke" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "jab", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A quick stab or blow; a poking or thrusting motion.
"He tore in for the ball, make a running jab for it and held it."
- 2 the act of touching someone suddenly with your finger or elbow wordnet
- 3 A short straight punch.
"American Ward was too quick and too slick for his British rival, landing at will with razor sharp jabs and hooks and even bullying Froch at times."
- 4 a quick short straight punch wordnet
- 5 A medical hypodermic injection (vaccination or inoculation). British
"Our dog was exposed to rabies, so the whole family went to a clinic to get our jabs."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow) wordnet
- 7 A vaccination, whether or not delivered by means of a conventional injection. Australia, British, New-Zealand, Philippines, sometimes
"A 'painless' sticking plaster flu jab that delivers vaccine into the skin has passed important safety tests in the first trial in people."
- 8 A mild verbal insult. US, figuratively
Verb
- 1 To poke or thrust abruptly, or to make such a motion.
"A barely audible groan welled up in the Captain's throat as the grinning Freedom Fighter circled around behind the helpless American Soldier. The groan sputtered into a strangled, "No… no… don't.... " as Randall felt the juicy tip of the man's tumescent cock jab against his hair-ringed, virgin asshole."
- 2 poke or thrust abruptly wordnet
- 3 To deliver a quick punch.
- 4 stab or pierce wordnet
- 5 To give someone an injection. UK, slang
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 strike or punch with quick and short blows wordnet
- 7 To vaccinate or inoculate someone. slang
- 8 To make fun of, to mock
"While the book's lasting appeal is remarkable, the work is worth little scholarly attention insofar as Twain is merely jabbing at a long-dead set of social practices."
Antonyms
Example
"Tyson followed up the jab with a left hook."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "jab"?
Common synonyms include: poke, thrust, assault, back answer, bang, barb.
How do you use "jab" in a sentence?
Tyson followed up the jab with a left hook.
How do you pronounce "jab"?
Pronounced /d͡ʒæb/.
Etymology
Originally a Scottish (unclear if Scots or Scottish English) form of English job (“peck, poke, thrust”), from Middle English jobben.