stubby

adjective

stub·​by ˈstə-bē 

stubbier; stubbiest

1

: abounding with stubs

2

a

: resembling a stub : being short and thick

stubby fingers

b

: being short and thickset : squat

c

: being short, broad, or blunt (as from use or wear)

an old stubby pencil

Synonyms of stubby

• stout
• stumpy
• stocky
• sturdy
• plump
• squatty

Examples of stubby in a Sentence

hands with thick stubby fingers

My dog has a short stubby tail.

Recent Examples on the Web

His retail wares included crocodile dog collars, croc stubby beer holders, croc skulls, croc tail key rings, croc tooth necklaces, croc purses, croc foot back scratchers and more. —Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025

The only problem was that the stubby little apartment was way out of his budget and way overpriced: The seller was asking $205,000, on top of roughly $1,000 in monthly maintenance. —Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2025

Gearing is selected via the stubby indicator, with the starter button part of the mechanism. —James Raia, Mercury News, 12 Oct. 2025

Each of its sides were home to circular speaker grilles, there was a stubby strap up top and the pointy bit housed a 300-lumen, 720p projector. —New Atlas, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stubby

• chubby
• cubby
• grubby
• hubby
• scrubby
• shrubby
• tubby

Kids Definition

stubby

adjective

stub·​by ˈstəb-ē 

: resembling a stub especially in shortness and broadness

stubby fingers