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

During the encounter, one of the dogs got loose from its leash and chased the cubs up a tree, prompting the adult bear to run after the dog. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 28 June 2026

Officials wrote in a post shared to Facebook that researchers placed a radio collar on the cub's mother during this year's capture season. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

When the alpha is dethroned, his replacement typically does in his predecessor’s cubs so that the females in the pride will breed again. — Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

The lion cub is expected to make her debut to the public in late summer. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 17 June 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