grub

[ gruhb ]

noun

1. the thick-bodied, sluggish larva of several insects, as of a scarab beetle.
2. a dull, plodding person; drudge.
3. an unkempt person.
4. Slang. food; victuals.
5. any remaining roots or stumps after cutting vegetation to clear land for farming.

verb (used with object)

, grubbed, grub·bing.

1. to dig; clear of roots, stumps, etc.
2. to dig up by the roots; uproot (often followed by up or out ).
3. Slang. to supply with food; feed.
4. Slang. to scrounge:

   to grub a cigarette.

verb (used without object)

, grubbed, grub·bing.

1. to dig; search by or as if by digging:

   We grubbed through piles of old junk to find the deed.

2. to lead a laborious or groveling life; drudge:

   It's wonderful to have money after having to grub for so many years.

3. to engage in laborious study.
4. Slang. to eat; take food.

grub

/ ɡrʌb /

verb

1. whentr, often foll by up or out to search for and pull up (roots, stumps, etc) by digging in the ground
2. to dig up the surface of (ground, soil, etc), esp to clear away roots, stumps, etc
3. intr; often foll by in or among to search carefully
4. intr to work unceasingly, esp at a dull task or research
5. slang.
   to provide (a person) with food or (of a person) to take food
6. slang.
   tr to scrounge

   to grub a cigarette

noun

1. the short legless larva of certain insects, esp beetles
2. slang.
   food; victuals
3. a person who works hard, esp in a dull plodding way
4. informal.
   a dirty child

Other Words From

• grubber noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grub¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English grubbe (noun), grubben (verb); akin to Old High German grubilōn “to dig,” German grübeln “to rack (the brain),” Old Norse gryfia “hole, pit”; grave ¹, groove

Word History and Origins

Origin of grub¹

C13: of Germanic origin; compare Old High German grubilōn to dig, German grübeln to rack one's brain, Middle Dutch grobben to scrape together; see grave ³, groove

Example Sentences

We have to ask ourselves as a society: Do we want college to be a place of intellectual growth or a performative exercise in grade grubbing?

From Los Angeles Times

Mostly, their education involves learning that they are “grubs,” only suitable for hard labor and sexual predation, with the faint potential of becoming “explorers,” then “pioneers” and finally “aces.”

From Los Angeles Times

A wonderful place to stop for a beer and pub grub post museum is the Elk Public House three blocks away.

From Seattle Times

Customers lean over counters and scarf down the grub from plastic plates.

From Los Angeles Times

Here, you might pick up a quick sandwich or other grab-n-go grub from Country Aire natural grocer.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• maggot
• worm