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Definition of cubbyhole

cubbyhole

/ˈkʌb.iˌhoʊl/
cub · by · hole
Plural:cubbyholes
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cubbyhole Lexical Profile

cubbyhole Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, enclosed compartment or space used for storing things.

Example

"She organized her classroom by assigning a brightly labeled cubbyhole to each student for their backpacks and lunchboxes."

2

A very small, snug, or uncomfortably cramped room or space.

Example

"His new office was just a windowless cubbyhole tucked beneath the staircase."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cubbyhole
Antonyms
View all antonyms for cubbyhole

• Nearby Words

cuban knight anole
cuban tree boa
cubby
cubbyhole
cube
cubelike
cuber

Word Origin & Etymology

Mid 19th century: from 'cubby' (meaning a small, snug place, likely derived from regional English 'cub' meaning a stall or pen) combined with 'hole'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

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