What does chub mean?
The chub is a thickset freshwater fish belonging to the carp family, Cyprinidae, abundant in the slow-moving rivers and streams of Europe, where the European chub (Squalius cephalus) is a familiar target for coarse anglers. With its broad back, large head, brassy flanks, and notably big mouth, it is an opportunistic feeder that takes everything from insects and crustaceans to small fish. The name has also been extended in North America to various similar-looking minnows. Beyond ichthyology, 'chub' entered everyday English as an informal, somewhat dated term for a plump person — a usage that survives mainly in the affectionate derivative adjective 'chubby'. For anglers, the chub remains a respected quarry: cunning, cautious, and capable of putting up a strong fight, it holds a secure place in the folklore and vocabulary of river fishing.
A stout-bodied freshwater fish of the carp family, native to European rivers, or any of various related North American fishes.
"Beneath the overhanging willow, a large chub lurked in the shade."
Especially common in British coarse-fishing contexts.
(Informal, dated) A plump person.
"Don't tease the poor chub — he can't help being round."
Dated and potentially offensive; the adjective 'chubby' is preferred today.
The plural is usually unchanged ('a shoal of chub'), especially when referring to the fish collectively; 'chubs' also occurs.
"The pool below the weir was teeming with chub."
The humble chub gave English one of its most affectionate adjectives: without this plump river fish, there would be no 'chubby'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chub
The word 'chub' comes from Middle English 'chubbe', first recorded around the early fifteenth century. Its deeper origins are uncertain; lexicographers have not confidently traced it to any particular root, so it stands as a word of obscure origin. The adjective 'chubby', now far more common than the informal noun use, developed from 'chub' in the early seventeenth century, evidently inspired by the fish's plump shape.
Related word forms
How chub is actually used
The fish sense is standard in British angling contexts, where chub are prized by coarse fishermen. The informal use for a plump person is dated and can sound unkind; in modern usage 'chubby' (the derived adjective) carries a much softer connotation than calling someone a chub. In North America, 'chub' is applied more loosely to several different minnow-like species.
Easily confused with chub
A cub is the young of a carnivorous mammal such as a bear, fox, or lion, whereas a chub is a freshwater fish.