stubble

noun

stub·​ble ˈstə-bəl 

often attributive

1

: the basal part of herbaceous plants and especially cereal grasses remaining attached to the soil after harvest

2

: a rough surface or growth resembling stubble

especially : a short growth of beard

stubbled

ˈstə-bəld 

adjective

stubbly

ˈstə-b(ə-)lē 

adjective

Examples of stubble in a Sentence

He ran his hand over his stubble.

Recent Examples on the Web

And it’s paid off; Laymon notes that several people are surprised to see his name in the end credits and even more shocked to realize that the grizzled man sporting scruffy stubble is Stewart. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025

While stubble burning during the winter harvest season exacerbates pollution levels, to solve the crisis, pollution needs to be tackled year-round, Dahiya said. —Helen Regan, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024

Around 38% of the pollution in New Delhi this year has been caused by stubble burning - a practice where stubble left after harvesting rice is burnt to clear fields - in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana. —Fox News, 14 Nov. 2024

Hosted in London, the Fashion Awards saw Jonas ditch his standard stubble for a 1970s-esque thick mustache. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English stuble, from Anglo-French estuble, from Latin stupula stalk, straw, alteration of stipula — more at stipule

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stubble

• stubble mulch

Rhymes for stubble

• bubble
• double
• rubble
• trouble
• redouble

Kids Definition

stubble

noun

stub·​ble ˈstəb-əl 

1

: the stem ends of herbs and especially cereal grasses remaining attached to the ground after harvest

2

: a rough surface or growth resembling stubble

stubbly

-(ə-)lē 

adjective