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 of cub

• novice
• apprentice
• rookie
• beginner
• freshman
• newcomer

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

Additionally, puppies are able to form dual identities at the very start of their lives—part human, part dog—in a way that wolf cubs are simply incapable of doing. —Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026

This female puma had two cubs that depended on her. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Twin cubs Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei will leave Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo Tuesday after meeting their fans for the last time on the weekend. —Chris Lau, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026

An injured mountain lion cub was captured by wildlife officials Wednesday after it was seen huddled in the middle of a roadway in the Castaic area, probably after being struck by a car, officials said. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

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