nub

noun

ˈnəb 

1

: knob, lump

2

: nubbin

3

: gist, point

the nub of the problem

Synonyms of nub

• chunk
• clump
• hunk
• wad
• lump
• glob
• knob

Examples of nub in a Sentence

The dog chewed his bone down to a nub.

The shoes have little nubs on the bottom that prevent you from slipping.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ephemera directs the brain to the tiniest concrete nubs of consciousness, calming the quaking mind and bringing us back to ourselves. —Literary Hub, 20 May 2026

How To Thoroughly Clean Your Bath Mat Cloth Cloth bath mats typically feature nubs, twists, or loops of fabric. —Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 12 May 2026

Glock discontinued its pistol model late last year and replaced the plastic nub near the rear sight with a small steel rail in its new pistol models, known as Gen V, to solve the conversion issue. —Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026

Her trick is to finely chop the ginger, instead of grating it, so there are spicy-sweet nubs in each bite. —Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of English dialect knub, probably from Low German knubbe

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nub

• the nub

Rhymes for nub

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

Kids Definition

nub

noun

ˈnəb 

1

: knob sense 1a, lump

2

: the main point of a matter

the nub of the story