cub

¹

[ kuhb ]

noun

1. the young of certain animals, as the bear, lion, or tiger.
2. a young shark.
3. a young and inexperienced person, especially a callow youth or young man.
4. a young person serving as an apprentice.
5. cub reporter.
6. cub scout.
7. (initial capital letter) Aeronautics, Trademark. any small, light monoplane with a high wing, a single engine, and an enclosed cabin.

verb (used without object)

, cubbed, cub·bing.

1. to work as a cub reporter.
2. (of a female bear, lion, tiger, etc.) to give birth to a cub or cubs.
3. to hunt fox cubs.

cub.

²

abbreviation for

1. cubic.

Cub

¹

/ kʌb /

noun

1. short for Cub Scout

cub

²

/ kʌb /

noun

1. the young of certain animals, such as the lion, bear, etc
2. a young or inexperienced person

verb

1. to give birth to (cubs)

Derived Forms

• ˈcubbishly, adverb
• ˈcubbish, adjective

Other Words From

• cubbish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cub¹

First recorded in 1520–30; perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse kobbi “young seal,” kubbr “stump,” hence, “short, thick-set person”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cub¹

C16: perhaps from Old Norse kubbi young seal; see cob ¹

Example Sentences

“He has no experience leading an organization, no less a Cub Scout pack,” Brunner said.

From Salon

Based on the emergence of its baby incisor teeth, researchers estimate the cub was about 3 weeks old when it died.

From Science Magazine

The frozen cub provides new revelations about its soft tissue anatomy such as the shape of its ears, muzzle, muscles, and broad feet adapted to walking in deep snow.

From Science Magazine

Homotherium had anatomy similar to modern African lions but with shorter bodies and longer limbs—and these differences already were evident in the 3-week old cub.

From Science Magazine

When the ranger’s away, the bear cub will play — and the kids will stay locked in school.

From Los Angeles Times