[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/stab/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / stab

# stab

verb (stab, stabs, stabbed, stabbing); noun (a stab, stabs)

«stab» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To stab means to push a knife or other sharp, pointed thing into someone or something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stab/#m1)
2. To stab can mean to push or poke something hard with a pointed object or finger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stab/#m2)
3. A stab is a sudden sharp pain or feeling («a stab of pain», «a stab of jealousy»). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stab/#m3)
4. To have a stab at something means to try it («Have a stab at the answer»). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stab/#m4)
5. A stab can also be a small prick or wound made by something sharp. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stab/#m5)

### In the lessons

In everyday life and safety stabbing is a serious crime; carrying knives is against the law and dangerous. In cooking you stab potatoes with a fork. In stories a «stab in the back» means a betrayal by a friend. In class «have a stab at it» means try your best guess. Phrases: «have a stab at», «stab in the back», «a stab of pain», «stab wound».

### Examples

- Stab the potatoes with a fork before baking them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stab/#x1)
- Have a stab at the hard question. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stab/#x2)
- I felt a stab of pain in my side while running. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stab/#x3)
- Carrying a knife to stab someone is a crime. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stab/#x4)
- He stabbed the button angrily with his finger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stab/#x5)
- She felt a stab of jealousy when her friend won. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stab/#x6)
- Telling my secret was a stab in the back. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stab/#x7)
- Never stab at things with scissors. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stab/#x8)

### Note

Double b before -ed and -ing: «stabbed», «stabbing». Safety: if you see someone with a knife, get away and tell an adult or call 999/911/000/112. «Have a stab» is casual and friendly.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «stab» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stab/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«stab» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/stab.html) on Mova free.