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noun

chub

chuhb

Chub (noun) means a thick-bodied freshwater fish related to carp. Example: “He caught a fat chub near the riverbank.”

noun
1
A thick-bodied freshwater fish related to carp.
"He caught a fat chub near the riverbank."
2
Informal: a chubby or overweight person.
"He joked about being a chub after the holidays."
3
A cylindrical package of ground or processed meat.
"The deli sells sausage in a two-pound chub."

How to use chub

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the freshwater fish, or informally, a plump person.

Word forms

chubbed past tense, chubs plural, chub plural, chubs plural, chubs singular

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He caught a fat _____ near the riverbank.

Etymology

From Middle English chubbe, the name of the river fish, later used from the 1500s as a nickname for a slow or lazy person, and eventually for anything short and thick.

Origin: Middle English · First attested 1500

Class of 1500 chub joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →

Rhymes for chub

hub
See all rhymes for chub →

Frequently asked questions

What does “chub” mean?

The word “chub” means a thick-bodied freshwater fish related to carp. In plain terms, either the freshwater fish, or informally, a plump person.

How do you pronounce “chub”?

“Chub” is pronounced chuhb (/t͡ʃʌb/ in IPA).

How do you use “chub” in a sentence?

Here is “chub” used in a sentence: “He caught a fat chub near the riverbank.”

What part of speech is “chub”?

“Chub” is a noun.

Where does the word “chub” come from?

The word “chub” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Middle English. From Middle English chubbe, the name of the river fish, later used from the 1500s as a nickname for a slow or lazy person, and eventually for anything short and thick.

How many meanings does “chub” have?

“Chub” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thick-bodied freshwater fish related to carp.

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