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Definition of nubbin

nubbin

/ˈnʌb.ɪn/
nub · bin
Plural:nubbins
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nubbin Lexical Profile

nubbin Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small lump, knob, or short remaining stub of something.

Example

"The artist wore the charcoal stick down to a tiny nubbin while completing the portrait."

2

American A small, stunted, or imperfectly developed ear of corn or piece of fruit.

Example

"After the prolonged summer drought, the harvest yielded mostly dry, shriveled nubbins of corn."

3

American The essential point, core, or gist of a story, argument, or matter.

Example

"Once you strip away the lengthy introduction, the nubbin of the proposal is simply to reduce operating costs."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for nubbin

• Rhymes for nubbin

• Nearby Words

nuance
nuanced
nub
nubbin
nubby
nubia
nuble

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 17th century, it is an alteration or diminutive form of 'nub' (a small lump), which itself is closely related to 'knub' and 'knob', of Low German origin.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nubbin. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nubbin
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