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

• abecedarian
• apprentice
• babe
• beginner
• colt
• fledgling
• freshman
• greenhorn
• neophyte
• newbie
• newcomer
• novice
• novitiate
• punk
• recruit
• rook
• rookie
• tenderfoot
• tyro
• virgin

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

Many clouded leopards refuse to raise their cubs in captivity, said Melissa McCartney, senior manager of animal care. —Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2025

The bear growled, huffed and clacked her teeth — making sure her message of getting away from her cubs got across. —Benjamin Alva Polley, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2025

Over the years, 11 of Grizzly 399’s 18 cubs have died, including three that were killed by vehicles. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025

Read Next World Tiger appears on trail camera with three cubs. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025

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