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Definition of cub

cub

/kʌb/
Plural:cubs
•
Adjective:cubbish
•
Past Simple:cubbed
•
Past Participle:cubbed
•
Present Participle:cubbing
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cub Lexical Profile

cub Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The young offspring of certain carnivorous mammals, especially a bear, lion, tiger, wolf, or fox.

Example

"The mother bear stayed close to her cub as they foraged for berries along the riverbank."


2

A member of the junior division of the Scouting movement for younger children.

Example

"My nephew earned three new activity badges during his first year as a Cub."


3

A young, inexperienced person in a profession, particularly a novice newspaper reporter.

Example

"He started his journalism career as a cub covering local town council meetings."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• verb

1

To give birth to cubs (used of a bear, lion, fox, or other carnivorous mammal).

Example

"Female polar bears construct snow dens in late autumn where they will cub during the winter months."

Synonyms
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• Rhymes for cub

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 16th century referring specifically to a young fox, the word is of uncertain origin, though scholars suggest a possible link to Old Irish 'cuib' (whelp or dog) or a dialectal sense of a rounded lump or mass.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cub. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cub
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