Stub

/stʌb/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A short remaining piece of something, such as a post, stick, or ticket.
She found a stub of a pencil lying on the desk.
The part of a ticket that is retained as a record.
Don't forget to keep your ticket stub for the draw at the end of the event.
An incomplete or unfinished piece of writing or a preliminary draft.
The writer submitted a stub of her novel to the editor for feedback.
A truncated or shortened version of a project or proposal.
The stub of the proposal was enough to get the initial interest from investors.
verb
To remove the end of something, particularly a plant or tree.
They decided to stub the old tree that was in the way.
To leave a piece of something remaining after cutting or breaking it off.
Please stub the cigarette out before entering the building.

Etymology

Middle English 'stubbe', possibly from a root related to 'stump'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

stub of a pencil
The short remaining piece of a pencil after use.
stub out
To extinguish a cigarette or the end of a cigarette.
ticket stub
The portion of a ticket that is retained after entry.

Related Words

stump
The part of a tree that remains after the trunk has been cut down.
remnant
A small remaining quantity of something.
fragment
A small part broken off or detached.

Slang Meanings

In gaming, a stub can refer to a weak or ineffective character.
That character is such a stub; it can't win any fights.
To stub one's toe, referring to accidentally hitting one's toe on an object.
I stubbed my toe on the coffee table and it really hurt.