stubby

adjective

stub·​by ˈstə-bē How to pronounce stubby (audio)
stubbier; stubbiest
1
: abounding with stubs
2
a
: resembling a stub : being short and thick
stubby fingers
b
: being short and thickset : squat
c
: being short, broad, or blunt (as from use or wear)
an old stubby pencil

Examples of stubby in a Sentence

hands with thick stubby fingers My dog has a short stubby tail.
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.
Fred’s guide took off on foot and circled behind the backbone, and Fred got into a solid shooting position with his rifle rested along a stubby pine. Jim Carmichel, Outdoor Life, 5 June 2025 Graham has a stubby build and some prospects are more athletic. Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 Elephants, for instance, became tapirs, with stubby trunks and legs. Caroline Winterer / Made By History, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025 One of the loudest guests inside Capital One Arena on Sunday night had stubby legs, prominent ears and a long snout. Josh Robbins, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stubby

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stubby was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stubby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stubby. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

stubby

adjective
stub·​by ˈstəb-ē How to pronounce stubby (audio)
: resembling a stub especially in shortness and broadness
stubby fingers

More from Merriam-Webster on stubby

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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