Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

cubby

/kʌbi/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.55 in modern English

Syllables: cub-by
IPA: /kʌbi/

14

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

2

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A small, confined space.

noun

A cell in a shelf for storing items, particularly in a school.

Example Sentences

"It’s standard for Norwegian kindergartens to have rows of cubbies just inside the door, each storing layers of spare clothes, including rain and snow gear and boots and mittens."

Etymology

From Middle English cub (“stall”) + -y (diminutive suffix). Cognate with French cagibi.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: cub
Suffix: -y

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /kʌbi/

Inflected Forms

cubbies (plural)

Derived Forms

cubbyhole

Phrases

cubby hole cubby house

Synonyms

pigeonhole cubbyhole snuggery snug

Rhymes With

chubby hubby grubby tubby scrubby shrubby bubby clubby subby bubbe subbie schlubby

Questions

How do you pronounce cubby?: The recorded pronunciation is /kʌbi/.
What does cubby mean?: A small, confined space.
Where does cubby come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce cubby

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “cubby”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/kʌbi/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “cubby”.
Repeat and practice — Say “cubby” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.