tub
tuhb
Tub (noun) means a round, open container, usually wider than it is tall, used for holding or washing things. Example: “She scooped ice cream from the tub into two bowls.”
noun
1
A round, open container, usually wider than it is tall, used for holding or washing things.
"She scooped ice cream from the tub into two bowls."
"He filled the tub with soapy water to wash the car."
"She kept her gardening tools in a plastic tub in the shed."
2
A bathtub.
"The kids splashed around happily in the tub."
"After a long run, I love a hot soak in the tub."
"There is no shower, only an old tub with brass taps."
verb
1
To bathe in a tub.
"He tubbed the dog after its muddy walk."
How to use tub
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA round, open container for storing, washing, or bathing — or, informally, the bathtub itself.
Common pairings
a tub of ice cream
bath tub
tub of butter
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like tub.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- tubs
- Third person singular
- tubs
- Past tense
- tubbed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She scooped ice cream from the _____ into two bowls.
Etymology
Came from Middle English tubbe, tobbe, from Middle Dutch tubbe or Middle Low German tubbe, tobbe; beyond that its origin is unknown. It is thought to be unrelated to tube.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for tub
See all rhymes for tub →Frequently asked questions
What does “tub” mean?
The word “tub” means a round, open container, usually wider than it is tall, used for holding or washing things. In plain terms, a round, open container for storing, washing, or bathing — or, informally, the bathtub itself.
How do you pronounce “tub”?
“Tub” is pronounced tuhb (/tʌb/ in IPA).
How do you use “tub” in a sentence?
Here is “tub” used in a sentence: “She scooped ice cream from the tub into two bowls.”
What part of speech is “tub”?
Depending on how it is used, “tub” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “tub” a common word?
“Tub” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “tub” have?
“Tub” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a round, open container, usually wider than it is tall, used for holding or washing things.
What is the difference between a tub and a bathtub?
Tub is a broader term for a round, open container used for holding or washing things, such as a tub of ice cream or a wash tub, while bathtub refers specifically to the fixture used for bathing. In casual speech, 'tub' is also commonly used as a shorthand for bathtub itself.
Can 'tub' be used as a verb?
Yes, to tub means to bathe in a tub, though this verb usage is less common than the noun form in everyday speech. It is typically found in more casual or older-fashioned phrasing.
What is a common collocation using the word tub?
Common collocations include 'tub of ice cream,' 'wash tub,' and 'hot tub,' reflecting the word's core sense of a round, open container for holding or washing items. 'Bathtub' itself is a compound built directly from this same word.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include tub:
