cubby

noun

cub·​by ˈkə-bē How to pronounce cubby (audio)
plural cubbies
US
: a small, snug place (as for hiding or storage) : cubbyhole
Each boy on coming in gives his name, pays six cents, gets a key, and puts away his hat, books, and jacket (if he has 'em) in his own cubby for the night.Madeleine B. Stern
The room was little more than a cubby choked with wires, splitters, routers, and electronic boxes. You would have said there was no room for a man.Stephen King

Examples of cubby in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Teachers can instruct students to leave their phones in the cubbies during the duration of class, during certain assignments or assessments, or as a loss of privilege. Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025 The most complete camper available loads in three different modules running front to back behind the driver's seat: a compact stove/fridge block, a sink module with under-counter water storage, and a rear cabinet with top shelf and various cubbies and compartments. New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2025 The console design allows modern details to co-exist: a cubby under the dash can hold two phones, and one slot has a wireless charge pad and USB C ports above it. Scotty Reiss, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 The packs of two storage containers are ideal for stylizing a book shelf or placing in a cubby to hold small items like toys, books, and electronics. Rachel Trujillo, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cubby

Word History

Etymology

obsolete English cub pen, from Dutch kub fish basket; akin to Old English cofa den

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cubby was in 1832

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Cite this Entry

“Cubby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cubby. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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