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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

tub

tuhb

Tub (noun) means a round, open container, usually wider than it is tall, used for holding or washing things. Example: “She scooped ice cream from the tub into two bowls.”

noun
1
A round, open container, usually wider than it is tall, used for holding or washing things.
"She scooped ice cream from the tub into two bowls."
"He filled the tub with soapy water to wash the car."
2
A bathtub.
"The kids splashed around happily in the tub."
verb
1
To bathe in a tub.
"He tubbed the dog after its muddy walk."

How to Use Tub

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA round, open container for storing, washing, or bathing — or, informally, the bathtub itself.

Common pairings
a tub of ice cream bath tub tub of butter

Word Forms

tubbed past tense, tubs plural, tubs singular

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She scooped ice cream from the _____ into two bowls.

Related Words

Rhymes for tub

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “tub” mean?

The word “tub” means a round, open container, usually wider than it is tall, used for holding or washing things. In plain terms, a round, open container for storing, washing, or bathing — or, informally, the bathtub itself.

How do you pronounce “tub”?

“Tub” is pronounced tuhb (/tʌb/ in IPA).

How do you use “tub” in a sentence?

Here is “tub” used in a sentence: “She scooped ice cream from the tub into two bowls.”

What part of speech is “tub”?

Depending on how it is used, “tub” can be a noun and a verb.

Is “tub” a common word?

“Tub” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “tub” have?

“Tub” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a round, open container, usually wider than it is tall, used for holding or washing things.

What is the difference between a tub and a bathtub?

Tub is a broader term for a round, open container used for holding or washing things, such as a tub of ice cream or a wash tub, while bathtub refers specifically to the fixture used for bathing. In casual speech, 'tub' is also commonly used as a shorthand for bathtub itself.

Can 'tub' be used as a verb?

Yes, to tub means to bathe in a tub, though this verb usage is less common than the noun form in everyday speech. It is typically found in more casual or older-fashioned phrasing.

What is a common collocation using the word tub?

Common collocations include 'tub of ice cream,' 'wash tub,' and 'hot tub,' reflecting the word's core sense of a round, open container for holding or washing items. 'Bathtub' itself is a compound built directly from this same word.

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