English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

adj

tubby

TUH-bee

Tubby (adj) means Short and round in build; plump. Example: “The cartoon showed a tubby cat lounging on a sofa.”

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adj

1

Short and round in build; plump.

"The cartoon showed a tubby cat lounging on a sofa."

"He was a cheerful, tubby little man who loved his food."

How to use tubby

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA slightly old-fashioned, informal word for someone who is short and plump.

When to use it

Informal and can come across as mocking, so it is usually best avoided as a description of a real person to their face.

Easily confused with

chubby →

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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

tubbier comparative, tubbies plural, tubbiest superlative

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The cartoon showed a _____ cat lounging on a sofa.

Etymology

From tub + -y, describing someone shaped a bit like a barrel. It looks related to "chubby" but the resemblance is coincidental — the two words developed separately.

Rhymes for tubby

cubby hubby bubby chubby grubby stubby

See all rhymes for tubby →

Frequently asked questions

What does “tubby” mean?

The word “tubby” means short and round in build; plump. In plain terms, a slightly old-fashioned, informal word for someone who is short and plump.

How do you pronounce “tubby”?

“Tubby” is pronounced TUH-bee (/ˈtʌbi/ in IPA).

How do you use “tubby” in a sentence?

Here is “tubby” used in a sentence: “The cartoon showed a tubby cat lounging on a sofa.”

What part of speech is “tubby”?

“Tubby” is an adjective.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial