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
1
An informal, affectionate name for a brother, especially used by young children.
"She still calls her older brother Bubba, even at thirty."
2
A stereotype of an unsophisticated, often overweight, working-class white man from the southern United States.
"Their subjects were not bubbas from the bayous but affluent students at the University of Michigan who had lived in the South for at least six years."
— Steven Pinker, The Better Angels of Our Nature (2011)
"The sitcom leaned on the lazy "bubba" stereotype for cheap laughs."
How to use bubba
Learner’s notesIn 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.
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Word forms
- Plural
- bubbas
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
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.
