fob

¹

[ fob ]

noun

1. a small pocket just below the waistline in pants, designed for a watch, keys, change, etc. Compare watch pocket ( def ).
2. especially formerly,
   1. a short chain or ribbon, usually with a medallion or similar ornament, attached to a watch and worn hanging from a pocket.
   2. the medallion or ornament itself.
3. key fob:

   The fob allows students 24/7 access into the residence building and their rooms.

   I could never find my nail clipper in my purse, so now I’m using it as a fob on my keychain.

fob

²

[ fob ]

verb (used with object)

, fobbed, fob·bing.

1. Archaic. to cheat; deceive.

verb phrase

1. 1. to cheat someone by substituting something spurious or inferior; palm off (often followed by on ):

      He tried to fob off an inferior brand on us.

   2. to put (someone) off by deception or trickery:

      She fobbed us off with false promises.

f.o.b.

³

or F.O.B.

abbreviation for

, Commerce.

1. free on board: without charge to the buyer for goods placed on board a carrier at the point of shipment:

   automobiles shipped f.o.b. Detroit.

fob

¹

/ fɒb /

noun

1. slang.
   a Pacific Islander who has newly arrived in New Zealand

f.o.b.

²

abbreviation for

1. free on board

fob

³

/ fɒb /

verb

1. an archaic word for cheat

fob

⁴

/ fɒb /

noun

1. a chain or ribbon by which a pocket watch is attached to a waistcoat
2. any ornament hung on such a chain
3. a small pocket in a man's waistcoat, for holding a watch
4. a metal or plastic tab on a key ring

Word History and Origins

Origin of fob¹

First recorded in 1645–55; origin uncertain; compare dialectal German Fuppe, Low German Fobke “pocket”

Origin of fob²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fobben; perhaps cognate with German foppen “to delude, kid, tease” ( fop ) or, alternatively, akin to French fourbe “cheat, swindler” (from Old French forbir “to clean”; furbish ( def ) )

Origin of fob³

First recorded in 1870–75

Word History and Origins

Origin of fob¹

C20: from f ( resh ) o ( ff ) ( the ) b ( oat )

Origin of fob²

C15: probably from German foppen to trick

Origin of fob³

C17: probably of Germanic origin; compare German dialect Fuppe pocket

Example Sentences

He was identified by a golf hat and a distinct key fob that he was wearing during the riot that matched other online photos of Mr Williams.

From BBC

“My props master came through and had the most beautiful watch fob with the head of a wolf on it.”

From Los Angeles Times

In the Guardian interview, Mr. Ford said he had called the Mercedes dealer and, in a fake accent, claimed to be a German key fob manufacturer who needed to see a list of buyers so he could confirm the spellings of their names.

From New York Times

She didn’t reveal exactly how it was concealed but said it could be in an ordinary device such as eyeglasses, a tie or a key fob.

From Seattle Times

He said his key fob at the Broncos practice facility still works and he said he’s enjoyed getting to know the Walton-Penner ownership group that bought the Broncos from the Pat Bowlen Trust in 2022 for a then-record $4.65 billion.

From Seattle Times