nob

¹ American  

[nob] / nɒb /

noun

1. Slang. the head.

2. Cribbage. Sometimes his nobs. the jack of the same suit as the card turned up, counting one to the holder.

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nob ² American  

[nob] / nɒb /

noun

Chiefly British Slang.

1. a person of wealth or social importance.

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nob ¹ British  

/ nɒb /

noun

1. the jack of the suit turned up

2. the call made with this jack, scoring one point

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nob ² British  

/ nɒb /

noun

1. slang a person of social distinction

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nob ³ British  

/ nɒb /

noun

1. slang the head

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nob ⁴ British  

/ nɒb /

noun

1. taboo a variant spelling of knob

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Other Word Forms

• nobbily adverb
• nobby adjective

Etymology

Origin of nob¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; perhaps variant of knob

Origin of nob²

1745–55; earlier knabb (Scots), nab; of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

But the most important thing is to not act like some wealthy nob, even though most of them are, lording your superiority over the common folk whose votes are necessary for victory.

From Salon • Nov. 23, 2025

Even before a greeting and the drink order, your server lifts the grate on your table grill and turns a nob.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2022

Scherzer also batted - in the fifth inning, Jack Flaherty’s 3-2 inside fastball hit the nob of Scherzer’s bat and breezed along the fingers of his right hand.

From Washington Times • Mar. 11, 2019

He was soon fuming to nob that Mr. Green had absconded with Bitcoins, and D.P.R. asked for help.

From New York Times • Jan. 18, 2014

Nob, nob, n. the head: a knobstick.—One for his nob, a blow on the head in boxing: a point at cribbage by holding the knave of trumps.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various