noun

cubit

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Cubit (noun) means a unit of length based on the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, used in the ancient world and in biblical measurements, roughly thirty-five to sixty centimetres. Example: “The ark was said to measure three hundred cubits in length.”

noun

historical A unit of length based on the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, used in the ancient world and in biblical measurements, roughly thirty-five to sixty centimetres.

"The ark was said to measure three hundred cubits in length."

"Archaeologists estimated the wall's height in cubits."

"Different ancient cultures used a slightly different cubit as their standard."

How to use cubit

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old unit of length roughly equal to the forearm, from elbow to fingertip.

When to use it

It belongs to historical and biblical writing rather than modern measurement.

Memory tip

Do not confuse it with qubit, the unit used in quantum computing, which sounds identical.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

qubit →

Common pairings

measured in cubits a cubit long royal cubit biblical cubit

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The ark was said to measure three hundred _____ in length.

Etymology

The word comes from Middle English cubite, which was taken from Latin cubitum, meaning elbow or cubit.

Origin: Latin

Frequently asked questions

What is a cubit in modern measurements?

It is roughly thirty-five to sixty centimetres, since it was based on the length of a person's forearm and varied between cultures.

Where is the cubit used today?

It survives mainly in translations of ancient and biblical texts, such as descriptions of Noah's ark, rather than in everyday modern measurement.

Is a cubit the same as an ell?

They are related but not identical; the ell later became recognised as its own separate unit of length.

What is the meaning of cubit?

"cubit" (noun) means a unit of length based on the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, used in the ancient world and in biblical measurements, roughly thirty-five to sixty centimetres.