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

This one has stubby legs to make your ceilings appear even taller, along with plenty of space to keep your records pristine and hide the tangle of cords when company’s over. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026

But sadder yet is when a deer or rabbit decides to devour a young plant, leaving behind one stubby, leafless stick in the ground. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 June 2026

Alongside Lincoln Park, the small Parque de Mexico has what looks like a stubby Stonehenge of empty plinths. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026

Alvarezsaurs were predominantly small, with stubby but powerful forelimbs, long and gracile hindlimbs and lightly built skulls. —Reuters, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026

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