Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for schlub. Search instead for zhlub.

schlub

American  
[shluhb] / ʃlʌb /
Also zhlub, or shlub

noun

Slang.
  1. a clumsy, stupid person.


schlub British  
/ ʃlʌb /

noun

  1. slang a coarse or contemptible person

"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

Etymology

Origin of schlub

First recorded in 1950–55; from Yiddish zhlob, zhlub “yokel, boor,” from Polish żłób “blockhead” literally, “trough, manger”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Redfield’s Peter is a blue-collar schlub fighting suicidal despair.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2025

Sure, he was recognized by another schlub who used to live in Albuquerque.

From Salon • Aug. 16, 2022

He’s a schlub, a loner from down the block: totally banal, totally evil.

From New York Times • Jul. 5, 2021

Imagine the poor schlub she enlisted to film this for her.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2020

“Grinding” is a verb used ostensibly as a compliment, meaning “at least the big schlub is trying,” despite repeatedly scuffling more than a little bit.

From Washington Post • Jun. 3, 2019

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "schlub" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com