What does yob mean?
In modern English, yob is an informal and distinctly derogatory noun for a person regarded as stupid, boorish, or contemptible. It is used in British English and is also understood in Australia and New Zealand, though it does not belong to the standard register of formal writing. The word carries an insulting edge: calling someone a yob suggests not merely awkwardness but a person whose behaviour is beneath the speaker's regard. It commonly appears in direct insults and in phrases such as “a bit of a yob.” Unlike a neutral description of foolishness, yob expresses social contempt and should normally be reserved for informal speech, fiction, comedy, or contexts in which the level of hostility is intentional. The word's ultimate origin is uncertain, although it is often associated with the name Job. Yob is useful to know because it conveys blunt, coarse disapproval more vividly and characteristically than generic terms such as fool or nuisance.
nounAn informal, derogatory term for a person considered stupid, boorish, or contemptible.
- An insulting reference to a person regarded as stupid, boorish, or objectionable.
"The pub landlord angrily called the troublesome customer a drunken yob."
"The comedy portrays him as a loud, argumentative yob who ruins every social occasion."
"A few friends can tolerate his grumbling, but the rest of the team considers him an absolute yob."
The standard plural of the noun is yobs.
"The pub was full of noisy yobs behaving badly."
One of Britain's most characteristically blunt insults: a yob is not merely foolish but actively contemptible.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of yob
Yob appeared in nineteenth-century English, but its ultimate origin is uncertain. Etymologists have proposed an alteration of the name Job, with the initial y added for unclear reasons, but the precise historical development of the word is not securely established.
Related word forms
How yob is actually used
Informal and strongly derogatory; chiefly associated with British, Australian, and New Zealand English. It is unsuitable for formal or neutral contexts and may offend the person described.
Easily confused with yob
A yob is a contemptible person, whereas a job is a piece of work or an assigned role.