noun
fob
fob
noun
1
A small handheld device used to unlock a car or open a secured door remotely, or a decorative attachment on a keychain or watch chain.
"She pressed the fob to unlock her car from across the parking lot."
"His grandfather still carried a pocket watch with a silver fob."
2
A small pocket for holding a watch or valuables, especially in old-fashioned trousers or waistcoats.
"The antique waistcoat had a fob for a pocket watch."
verb
1
To cheat or trick someone, often in the phrase "fob off."
"He tried to fob off the customer with a cheap replacement."
How to Use Fob
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small remote-control device for cars/doors, or (older sense) a pocket or chain ornament for a watch.
Common pairings
key fob
fob off
watch fob
Word Forms
fobbed past tense, fobs plural, fobs singular
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She pressed the _____ to unlock her car from across the parking lot.
Etymology
Probably from an old Germanic word for "pocket," related to Swedish ficka and German dialect forms.