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

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's question Tuesday about whether the mama bear may have been defending her cub. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 15 Apr. 2025

In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space. —Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2025

The bear had a yearling cub with her, the agency said. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2025

Genetic sampling has confirmed that Bear 122 is the father of at least five young bears in the region, including cubs from Banff’s two most famous females, Bears 64 and 72. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 12 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