noun Uncommon

bubba

BUH-buh

Bubba (noun) means an informal, affectionate name for a brother, especially used by young children. Example: “She still calls her older brother Bubba, even at thirty.”

noun

An informal, affectionate name for a brother, especially used by young children.

"She still calls her older brother Bubba, even at thirty."

A stereotype of an unsophisticated, often overweight, working-class white man from the southern United States.

"The sitcom leaned on the lazy "bubba" stereotype for cheap laughs."

How to use bubba

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a childhood nickname for a brother, or an unflattering stereotype of a rural Southern US man.

When to use it

The stereotype sense can come across as mocking or classist — use with care.

Word forms

bubbas plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “bubba” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She still calls her older brother _____, even at thirty.

Etymology

Probably a child's simplified pronunciation of "brother," related to "bub."

Rhymes for bubba

hubba

See all rhymes for bubba →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bubba” mean?

The word “bubba” means an informal, affectionate name for a brother, especially used by young children. In plain terms, either a childhood nickname for a brother, or an unflattering stereotype of a rural Southern US man.

How do you pronounce “bubba”?

“Bubba” is pronounced BUH-buh (/ˈbʌbə/ in IPA).

How do you use “bubba” in a sentence?

Here is “bubba” used in a sentence: “She still calls her older brother Bubba, even at thirty.”

What part of speech is “bubba”?

“Bubba” is a noun.

Is “bubba” a common word?

“Bubba” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “bubba” have?

“Bubba” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal, affectionate name for a brother, especially used by young children.