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

Would the company be taking a different approach to the immense technical challenges of getting Starship to the Moon, perhaps with a stubby Starship variant? — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026

The tangle of stubby points stood out like overgrown thumbs, and the down-curving prongs on either side of his head were at least a foot long. — Al Dawson, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026

The dodo, with its waddling gait, its stubby wings, its goggly eyes, and its preposterous beak, has none of the power, grace, or charisma of those other animals—but that’s part of its charm. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 Oct. 2026

Big ears, stubby legs and an extra-strong butt — Zoo Miami celebrated the newest addition to its animal family Friday. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 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