noun
Uncommon
grub
gruhb
Grub (noun) means the soft, worm-like larva of certain insects, especially beetles. Example: “The gardener found several grubs while digging up the flowerbed.”
noun
1
The soft, worm-like larva of certain insects, especially beetles.
"The gardener found several grubs while digging up the flowerbed."
2
Food.
"Let's grab some grub before the movie starts."
verb
1
To dig in the ground, especially searching for something.
"The pigs grubbed around in the mud looking for roots."
How to use grub
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither an insect larva, or informal slang for food.
When to use it
The "food" sense is informal/slang.
Common pairings
grab some grub
a fat grub
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Word forms
- Plural
- grubs
- Third person singular
- grubs
- Past tense
- grubbed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The gardener found several _____ while digging up the flowerbed.
Etymology
From an Old English root meaning "to dig"; the slang sense of "food" appeared in the 17th century, possibly linked to the idea of birds digging up grubs to eat.
Class of 1600
grub joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Related words
Rhymes for grub
See all rhymes for grub →Frequently asked questions
What does “grub” mean?
The word “grub” means the soft, worm-like larva of certain insects, especially beetles. In plain terms, either an insect larva, or informal slang for food.
How do you pronounce “grub”?
“Grub” is pronounced gruhb (/ɡɹʌb/ in IPA).
How do you use “grub” in a sentence?
Here is “grub” used in a sentence: “The gardener found several grubs while digging up the flowerbed.”
What part of speech is “grub”?
Depending on how it is used, “grub” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “grub” come from?
The word “grub” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Old English. From an Old English root meaning "to dig"; the slang sense of "food" appeared in the 17th century, possibly linked to the idea of birds digging up grubs to eat.
Is “grub” a common word?
“Grub” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “grub” have?
“Grub” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the soft, worm-like larva of certain insects, especially beetles.
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