nub

or knub

[ nuhb ]

/ nʌb /

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See synonyms for nub on Thesaurus.com

noun

the point, gist, or heart of something.

a knob or protuberance.

a lump or small piece: a nub of coal; a nub of pencil.

a small mass of fibers produced on a card, dyed brilliant colors, and introduced into yarn during the spinning process.

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Origin of nub

1585–95; <Low German, Middle Low German knubbe;cf. knob

Words nearby nub

nt. wt., n-type, nu, nuance, nuanced, nub, Nuba, Nubain, nubbin, nubble, nubbly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use nub in a sentence

At the end of our first post-vaccine dinner party, the tablecloth was stained, the candles were burned down to nubs, and the dog was licking up bits of rice pilaf that, at some point, fell to the floor.
How to host a post-vaccine dinner party: Menu, tips, recipes and more|Adam Roberts|June 4, 2021|Washington Post
Once it is steamed, even the tough outer petals feature a little nub of tender flesh at the tip where they attach to the heart.
How to prep, cook and enjoy stuffed artichokes|Ann Maloney|March 11, 2021|Washington Post
Chemicals from food hit tiny nubs on our tongue called papillae that hold taste buds.
Let’s learn about taste|Bethany Brookshire|January 26, 2021|Science News For Students
Those handy extending nubs, however, don’t play very nicely with wireless charging.
Rolling phones, smart glasses, and other cool new tech from CES 2021|Stan Horaczek|January 12, 2021|Popular-Science

The nub of the argument is that surveillance capitalism’s target is human nature itself — with Zuboff calling out the “data business” playbook of “hidden extraction mechanisms” which she said are robbing us of the ability to fight back.
Europe urged to block Google-Fitbit ahead of major digital policy overhaul|Natasha Lomas|December 11, 2020|TechCrunch
Crippling weight loss and the task of adjusting to life as a single mom nearly wore me to a nub.
My Fight to Stop My Divorce|Beverly Willett|August 28, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Or you could go whole hog like Nub Sweeney and just wear overalls.
The Best "Pants on the Ground" Covers|The Daily Beast Video|January 18, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The nub of the whole matter is: The claims made for Sanatogen are unwarranted, misleading and fraudulent.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2|Various
And, having drawn all possible satisfaction from the other's amazement, he sprang the nub of his joke with a grin.
Where the Pavement Ends|John Russell
In the flat center of each lock was a small keyhole and alongside of it a notched nub, the nub being sunk in a minute depression.
The Escape of Mr. Trimm|Irvin S. Cobb
Only the red nub of it showed above the timber line across the lake, and the shadows lay inland a long way.
The Escape of Mr. Trimm|Irvin S. Cobb
Halloway reflectively knocked the nub of ash from his pipe, and went on more slowly.
A Pagan of the Hills|Charles Neville Buck

British Dictionary definitions for nub

nub

/ (nʌb) /

noun

a small lump or protuberance

a small piece or chunk

the point or gistthe nub of a story

a small fibrous knot in yarn

Derived forms of nub

nubbly, adjective

Word Origin for nub

C16: variant of knub, from Middle Low German knubbe knob

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012