adj
Uncommon
tubular
TYOOB-yuu-luh
Tubular (adj) means Shaped like a tube; hollow and cylindrical. Example: “The bridge was supported by a series of tubular steel beams.”
adj
1
Shaped like a tube; hollow and cylindrical.
"The bridge was supported by a series of tubular steel beams."
2
(informal, dated) Excellent; awesome.
"It was such a tubular wave, the surfer said, grinning ear to ear."
How to use tubular
Learner’s notes
When to use it
The "awesome" sense is dated slang, strongly associated with 1980s surf and valley-speak; using it now usually reads as a deliberate throwback.
Common pairings
tubular steel
tubular frame
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more tubular
- Superlative
- most tubular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bridge was supported by a series of _____ steel beams.
Etymology
From Latin tubulus ("small tube") plus -ar. The slang sense meaning "awesome" comes from surfing culture, describing the hollow, tube-like curl of a great wave — and became a catchphrase of 1980s surfer and valley-girl slang.
Class of 1980
tubular joined the language around 1980.
See the full Class of 1980 →
Related words
Rhymes for tubular
See all rhymes for tubular →Frequently asked questions
What does “tubular” mean?
The word “tubular” means shaped like a tube; hollow and cylindrical.
How do you pronounce “tubular”?
“Tubular” is pronounced TYOOB-yuu-luh (/ˈt(j)ubjələɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tubular” in a sentence?
Here is “tubular” used in a sentence: “The bridge was supported by a series of tubular steel beams.”
What is another word for “tubular”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tubular” include cannular, tubiform, tuboid and tuboidal.
What part of speech is “tubular”?
“Tubular” is an adjective.
Where does the word “tubular” come from?
The word “tubular” dates back to around 1980 and comes from Latin.
Is “tubular” a common word?
“Tubular” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tubular” have?
“Tubular” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: shaped like a tube; hollow and cylindrical.
