Cub — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈkəb/

Meaning & Definition of Cub

Cub (noun)

  1. a young carnivorous mammal (such as a bear, fox, or lion)
  2. a young shark
  3. a young person

Cub (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who is just starting out in a field of activity

    "the kind of big story that can propel a cub reporter into the stratosphere of the newspaper world"

    similar: abecedarian, apprentice, babe, beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, novitiate, punk, recruit, rook, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro, virgin
    related: boot, amateur, dabbler, dilettante, learner, student, trainee, candidate, entrant, probationer
    opposite: old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran
    near: expert, master, pro, professional

  2. a young person who is between infancy and adulthood

    "assigned to teach a bunch of young cubs how to play baseball"

    similar: bairn (chiefly Scottish), bambino, bud, chap (Southern & Midland), chick, child, juvenile, kid, kiddie, kiddo, moppet, sprat, sprout, squirt, whelp, youngling, youngster, youth
    related: adolescent, minor, kindergartner, preschooler, rug rat (slang), schoolboy, schoolchild, schoolgirl, schoolkid, babe, baby, bantling, infant, neonate, nestling, newborn, toddler, tot, tyke, weanling, devil, hellion, imp, jackanapes, mischief, monkey, rapscallion, rascal, rogue, urchin, whippersnapper, cherub, preteen, preteen-ager, subteen, teen, teenager, teener, teenybopper, tween, lad, nipper, shaver, stripling, tad, bobby-soxer, hoyden, tomboy
    opposite: adult, grown-up
    near: middle-ager, ancient, elder, golden-ager, oldster, old-timer, senior, senior citizen

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cub

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cub:

Chiefly Scottish: bairn
Southern & Midland: chap
abecedarian, apprentice, babe, beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, novitiate, punk, recruit, rook, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro, virgin, bambino, bud, chick, child, juvenile, kid, kiddie, kiddo, moppet, sprat, sprout, squirt, whelp, youngling, youngster, youth

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Cub

Words with the opposite meaning of Cub:

old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran, adult, grown-up

Related Words for Cub

boot, amateur, dabbler, dilettante, learner, student, trainee, candidate, entrant, probationer, adolescent, minor, kindergartner, preschooler, rug rat, schoolboy, schoolchild, schoolgirl, schoolkid, baby, bantling, infant, neonate, nestling, newborn, toddler, tot, tyke, weanling, devil

Near Antonyms of Cub

expert, master, pro, professional, middle-ager, ancient, elder, golden-ager, oldster, senior, senior citizen

Origin & Etymology of Cub

probably akin to Middle English cobbe leader of a group, head cob

First known use: 1530

Words & Phrases Containing Cub

Cub Scout, cub reporter

Frequently Asked Questions about Cub

What does "Cub" mean?

"Cub" means a young carnivorous mammal (such as a bear, fox, or lion). As a noun, it is defined as: a young carnivorous mammal (such as a bear, fox, or lion). It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cub"?

Other words for "Cub" include abecedarian, apprentice, babe, beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman and greenhorn. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cub" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cub"?

There are 95 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cub". Common alternatives include abecedarian, apprentice, babe, beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte and newbie.

What is the opposite of "Cub"?

Antonyms of "Cub" include old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran, adult and grown-up. Near antonyms include expert, master, pro and professional.

How do you use "Cub" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cub" in a sentence: "the kind of big story that can propel a cub reporter into the stratosphere of the newspaper world"; "assigned to teach a bunch of young cubs how to play baseball".

Is "Cub" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cub" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Cub"?

"Cub" is pronounced /ˈkəb/.

What is the origin of the word "Cub"?

"Cub" comes from probably akin to Middle English cobbe leader of a group, head cob. First known use: 1530.