What does dub mean?
To dub is to formally bestow a title — most famously a knighthood — on someone, a ceremony traditionally performed by tapping the recipient on each shoulder with a sword. By extension, the verb came to mean giving anyone or anything an unofficial but memorable name or label: journalists might dub a scandal a particular affair, or critics dub a film an instant classic. A third common sense, borrowed into everyday language from film production, means adding or substituting recorded sound onto a moving picture, as when foreign films are dubbed into another language. The word traces back to Old English 'dubbian,' meaning to strike, reflecting the physical tap of the original knighting ritual. Today 'dub' spans registers from formal ceremonial language ('the monarch dubbed him a knight') to casual media commentary ('fans dubbed her the queen of pop'), making it a versatile and vivid choice when describing acts of naming, honoring, or re-voicing.
To confer a knighthood, title, or unofficial name on someone; also, to add or replace recorded sound on a film or recording.
"The director dubbed the actor's lines in post-production."
Often used passively: 'He was dubbed a hero.'
A genre of reggae music characterized by instrumental remixes, heavy bass, and echo effects; also, a copy of a recording made by dubbing.
"The DJ played a classic dub from the 1970s."
As a noun, 'dubs' most often refers to multiple tracks or recordings in the reggae/dub genre, or to dubbed copies of a film or show.
"The box set includes rare dubs from the band's early sessions."
Knights aren't just tapped with a sword for show — that ceremonial tap literally gave English the word 'dub,' and centuries later it gave DJs and film studios their word too.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dub
'Dub' descends from Old English 'dubbian,' meaning to strike or tap, which itself likely derives from a Latin root connected to 'duo' (two) — echoing the two blows given during the knighting rite. The ceremonial sense of conferring knighthood by a sword's tap dates to medieval England, and the broader sense of assigning a name developed from the idea of 'striking' a title onto someone. The film-industry sense of dubbing audio emerged separately in the twentieth century, possibly influenced by the earlier notion of layering one thing over another.
Related word forms
How dub is actually used
In the naming sense, 'dub' typically appears in passive constructions ('was dubbed') and carries a slightly informal or journalistic tone. The knighting sense is chiefly historical or ceremonial British usage.
Easily confused with dub
The noun 'dub' refers to a reggae-derived music genre featuring heavy bass and stripped-back remixes, while the verb 'dub' means to confer a title or assign a name.