cub

noun

ˈkəb 

1

a

: a young carnivorous mammal (such as a bear, fox, or lion)

b

: a young shark

2

: a young person

3

: apprentice

especially : an inexperienced newspaper reporter

Synonyms of cub

• novice
• apprentice
• rookie
• beginner
• freshman
• newcomer

Examples of cub in a Sentence

the kind of big story that can propel a cub reporter into the stratosphere of the newspaper world

assigned to teach a bunch of young cubs how to play baseball

Recent Examples on the Web

Like their chunky counterparts farther to the north in Katmai National Park, the bears return each summer to feast on salmon and teach their cubs how to fish in order to survive. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2026

Zoo Atlanta's history with giant pandas Under Zoo Atlanta's previous agreement with China, which ended in 2024, Lun Lun and Yang Yang had seven cubs, the zoo said. — Madeline Montgomery, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

The Smithsonian National Zoo welcomed five cheetah cubs this month. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026

One early Saturday morning in June of 2025, a pair of very small raccoon cubs, about six weeks old, were strolling around the yard, exploring their world. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably akin to Middle English cobbe leader of a group, head — more at cob

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cub

• cub reporter

Rhymes for cub

• bub
• club
• dub
• grub
• hub
• nub
• pub
• rub
• scrub
• shrub
• snub
• stub

Kids Definition

cub

noun

ˈkəb 

1

a

: a young flesh-eating mammal (as a bear, fox, or lion)

b

: a young shark

2

: a young person

3

: a person just learning a job : apprentice

a cub reporter

a cub pilot

4

: cub scout