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noun

squab

SKWOB

Squab (noun) means a young, unfledged pigeon or dove, especially one raised for food. Example: “The restaurant menu featured roasted squab as a specialty dish.”

noun
1
A young, unfledged pigeon or dove, especially one raised for food.
"The restaurant menu featured roasted squab as a specialty dish."
2
A thick cushion, especially one covering a seat.
"The old sofa's squab had gone flat over the years."

How to use squab

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA young pigeon (often eaten as food), or a thick seat cushion.

Word forms

more squab comparative, squabbed past tense, squabs plural, squabs singular, most squab superlative

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Fill the gap

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The restaurant menu featured roasted _____ as a specialty dish.

Etymology

Origin uncertain, first recorded in the 1600s, possibly related to a Scandinavian dialect word meaning "fatty" or "flabby."

· First attested 1600

Class of 1600 squab joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “squab” mean?

The word “squab” means a young, unfledged pigeon or dove, especially one raised for food. In plain terms, a young pigeon (often eaten as food), or a thick seat cushion.

How do you pronounce “squab”?

“Squab” is pronounced SKWOB (/ˈskwɑb/ in IPA).

How do you use “squab” in a sentence?

Here is “squab” used in a sentence: “The restaurant menu featured roasted squab as a specialty dish.”

What part of speech is “squab”?

“Squab” is a noun.

Where does the word “squab” come from?

The word “squab” dates back to around 1600. Origin uncertain, first recorded in the 1600s, possibly related to a Scandinavian dialect word meaning "fatty" or "flabby.".

How many meanings does “squab” have?

“Squab” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a young, unfledged pigeon or dove, especially one raised for food.

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