nubby

American

[nuhb-ee] / ˈnʌb i /

Also nubbed,

adjective

nubbier, nubbiest

having nubs; knobby or lumpy.

nubby British

/ ˈnʌbɪ /

adjective

having small lumps or protuberances; knobbly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of nubby

First recorded in 1875–80; nub + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It was a big opportunity to come to America because Korea is very small,” Han says in Korean while continuing to draft with his nubby yellow #2 pencil.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2025

Stone ground mustards bring great flavor and an appealing nubby texture, since some or all of the seeds are left intact or just slightly crushed.

From Washington Times • Jun. 2, 2023

For a more grounded feel, she’ll layer plush rugs, velvets, braided wool and nubby boucles.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 20, 2023

A nubby gray couch cushion provided the photo backdrop for the Badgley Mischka heels I purchased from Facebook Sinema.

From Slate • Dec. 15, 2022

Isa’s eyes followed Jessie as she walked slowly around the basement, running her fingers through thick, nubby carpets hung on the wall and gently touching delicate silver stars strung above.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023