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noun

nob

nob

Nob (noun) means a informal, often mildly mocking British term for a wealthy or upper-class person. Example: “The nobs from the big house never mixed with the villagers.”

noun
1
A informal, often mildly mocking British term for a wealthy or upper-class person.
"The nobs from the big house never mixed with the villagers."
"He talked posh, like some kind of nob."
verb
1
To hit someone on the head (informal/dialect).
"He got nobbed with a rolled-up newspaper."

How to use nob

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA slang word, mainly British, for someone rich or upper-class — usually said with a bit of an edge.

When to use it

Informal and slightly derogatory; not used in formal writing.

Common pairings
a bit of a nob posh nobs

Word forms

nobbed past tense, nobs singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ from the big house never mixed with the villagers.

Etymology

Thought to come from an old spelling of "knob" (head), later extended to mean a "big head" or important person — the same idea behind "bigwig."

Related words

Rhymes for nob

See all rhymes for nob →

Frequently asked questions

What does “nob” mean?

The word “nob” means a informal, often mildly mocking British term for a wealthy or upper-class person. In plain terms, a slang word, mainly British, for someone rich or upper-class — usually said with a bit of an edge.

How do you pronounce “nob”?

“Nob” is pronounced nob (/nɑb/ in IPA).

How do you use “nob” in a sentence?

Here is “nob” used in a sentence: “The nobs from the big house never mixed with the villagers.”

What part of speech is “nob”?

Depending on how it is used, “nob” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “nob” have?

“Nob” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a informal, often mildly mocking British term for a wealthy or upper-class person.

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