noun
nub
nuhb
noun
1
The central point or essence of a matter.
"The nub of the argument was who should pay for the repairs."
2
A small lump, knob, or protruding piece.
"There was a small nub on the remote where a button used to be."
How to Use Nub
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a small bump, or (more often) the core point of an issue.
Common pairings
the nub of the matter
nub of the problem
Word Forms
nubbed past tense, nubs plural, nubs singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “nub”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the argument was who should pay for the repairs.
Etymology
Related to Low German words for "knot" or "lump," and to the English word "knob."