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.
After grinding down these five victims to a nub Roy could move on to audial twin Michael Cohen. Greg Marotta, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025 Raised nubs along the rollers dig deep into your feet to help alleviate soreness. Rebecca Martinson, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2024 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 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 30 Jan. 2025.

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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