1
: knob, lump
2
: nubbin
3
: gist, point
the nub of the problem

Examples of nub in a Sentence

The dog chewed his bone down to a nub. The shoes have little nubs on the bottom that prevent you from slipping.
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.
The spiral toy is designed to rest against your clit, while the internal nub creates a sensation of buzzy fullness. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 3 Nov. 2024 From there, build things up by essentially making out with their nub, Dr. Nolan says. Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 June 2024 But as civility gets ground down to a nub by increasingly racist and bigoted behavior, from Trump down, there have to be consequences for actions. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 29 Oct. 2024 One foot-end, the simple Point-Foot, takes the form of a rounded rubberized nub. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nub 

Word History

Etymology

alteration of English dialect knub, probably from Low German knubbe

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nub was in 1696

Dictionary Entries Near nub

Cite this Entry

“Nub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nub. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

nub

noun
1
2
: the main point of a matter
the nub of the story

More from Merriam-Webster on nub

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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