noun

hubba

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Hubba (noun) means a tiny unit of weight or measure, historically used in South Asian and Middle Eastern trade for grains or seeds. Example: “The old trader still weighed spices in hubbas and grains rather than metric units.”

noun

A tiny unit of weight or measure, historically used in South Asian and Middle Eastern trade for grains or seeds.

"The old trader still weighed spices in hubbas and grains rather than metric units."

The smallest conceivable amount of something; a jot or scrap.

"He didn't care a hubba for what the critics said."

How to use hubba

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old word for a very small unit of weight, or, loosely, the tiniest scrap of anything.

When to use it

Rare and archaic outside specialist or historical writing — most readers will never encounter it in everyday text.

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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”.

Word forms

Plural: hubbas

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The old trader still weighed spices in _____ and grains rather than metric units.

Etymology

Traced back through Hindustani and Persian to Arabic habba, meaning a single grain or seed — the same idea behind describing a tiny quantity as "not a grain's worth."

Origin: Arabic

Rhymes for hubba

bubba

See all rhymes for hubba →

Frequently asked questions

What does “hubba” mean?

The word “hubba” means a tiny unit of weight or measure, historically used in South Asian and Middle Eastern trade for grains or seeds. In plain terms, an old word for a very small unit of weight, or, loosely, the tiniest scrap of anything.

How do you use “hubba” in a sentence?

Here is “hubba” used in a sentence: “The old trader still weighed spices in hubbas and grains rather than metric units.”

What part of speech is “hubba”?

“Hubba” is a noun.

Where does the word “hubba” come from?

The word “hubba” comes from Arabic. Traced back through Hindustani and Persian to Arabic habba, meaning a single grain or seed — the same idea behind describing a tiny quantity as "not a grain's worth.".

How many meanings does “hubba” have?

“Hubba” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tiny unit of weight or measure, historically used in South Asian and Middle Eastern trade for grains or seeds.

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Words with Arabic origins