carb
carb Lexical Profile
carb Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An informal shortening of carbohydrate; a macronutrient consisting of sugars, starches, and fibers, or a food rich in such compounds (such as bread, pasta, or potatoes).
"Runners often eat plenty of complex carbs the evening before a marathon to maximize their energy reserves."
An informal shortening of carburetor; a mechanical device in an internal combustion engine that mixes air and fuel in the proper ratio for combustion.
"The mechanic had to rebuild the carb on the vintage motorcycle before the engine would idle smoothly."
• verb
To consume a large amount of carbohydrate-rich food, typically in preparation for intense athletic endurance (usually followed by 'up').
"The cyclists spent the day before the mountain stage carbing up on rice and pasta."
• Rhymes for carb
Word Origin & Etymology
Originating in the 20th century as an informal clipping, the word independently shortened both 'carburetor' (in automotive contexts from the 1920s) and 'carbohydrate' (in nutritional contexts from the 1970s).