The dab can mean two very different things depending on context:

  1. a viral dance / gesture, and
  2. a very strong cannabis concentrate and the act of using it.

Quick Scoop: What is “the dab”?

1. The dab as a dance / gesture

When people ask “what is the dab?” online, they usually mean the dance move :

  • You bend one arm at the elbow and tuck your face into that elbow, like you’re sneezing into it.
  • At the same time, you extend the other arm out straight, roughly parallel to the bent arm.
  • It became a youth fad and meme around the mid‑2010s and was used to show triumph, playfulness, or a joking “I’m cool” energy.
  • It spread from Atlanta hip‑hop into sports (e.g., NFL touchdown celebrations) and then into general internet culture.

In simple terms: dab = quick, dramatic pose that looks like a sneeze into your elbow, used as a celebratory or ironic move.

2. The dab in weed / drug culture (important safety context)

In cannabis circles, “a dab” or “dabbing” is something very different and much more serious:

  • A dab is a highly concentrated cannabis extract, often made using solvents like butane.
  • Typical cannabis flower is reported around 10–15% THC, while dabs can be in the 80–90% THC range, meaning far more potent.
  • It comes in forms like sticky oil, wax, or brittle “shatter.”
  • Dabbing means heating this concentrate on a very hot surface (often a special rig) and inhaling the vapor.

Because of the high THC content and the way it’s taken, dabbing can carry increased risks:

  • Stronger intoxication, anxiety, panic, or paranoia, especially for inexperienced users.
  • Possible exposure to residual solvents if products are poorly made.
  • Fire/explosion risk if people try to make concentrates at home using flammable gases like butane.

If you or someone you know is underage, struggling with substance use, or feeling pressured to try this, it’s important to talk to a trusted adult or a health professional.

3. The everyday verb “to dab”

There’s also the older, non‑slang meaning:

  • To dab : to touch something lightly, usually in small, soft motions.
  • Examples: dab perfume behind your ears, dab paint on a canvas, dab your eyes with a tissue.

This is the standard dictionary sense you’ll see in general English usage.

Mini FAQ

Q: If someone says “do the dab,” what do they mean?
Usually they’re asking you to strike the dance pose (face in elbow, other arm out) as a joke or celebration.

Q: If someone offers “a dab,” what could that mean?
In many online or teen/young‑adult contexts, that can mean a hit of strong cannabis concentrate, not a dance move, and it carries real health and legal risks depending on where you live.

Q: Why was the dab such a big deal?
It symbolized a trending, easy‑to-copy gesture from hip‑hop and sports that went massively viral, so it became a shorthand meme for “win,” “cringe,” or irony, depending on how it’s used.

TL;DR:

  • As a meme: the dab is that quick “sneeze into your elbow” dance pose used to celebrate or joke around.
  • As drug slang: a dab is a very potent cannabis extract and the act of inhaling it, which has higher risks and should be approached with caution and local laws in mind.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.