Definition

Noun: 1. A wide, open, typically round container: A relatively large vessel, often made of plastic or metal, used for holding liquids, washing, or mixing. 2. The amount a tub can contain: A measure of quantity, referring to what fills such a container. 3. A bathtub: A large, fixed container in a bathroom that is filled with water for bathing the body. 4. A small, clumsy boat: (Informal, often humorous) A slow or awkward boat.

Usage Examples

• As a container:
  • She bought a tub of ice cream for the party.
  • The gardener filled the tub with soil to plant the flowers.
  • We need a tub to mix the concrete.
• As a bathtub:
  • After a long day, I relaxed in a hot tub.
  • The baby splashed happily in the tub.
• Referring to quantity:
  • The recipe calls for a tub of yogurt.
• Referring to a boat:
  • The old fishing boat was a real tub, but it was reliable.

Advanced Usage

• "Hot tub": A large tub filled with hot, aerated water used for relaxation or hydrotherapy. (This is a common compound noun).
• "Tub-thumping": (Informal, often derogatory) Making loud, aggressive, or emotional public statements, especially in politics or preaching. It originates from the image of a preacher pounding on a makeshift pulpit, like an upturned tub.
  • The speech was more about tub-thumping than offering real solutions.

Variants and Related Words

• Bathtub (n): The specific fixed fixture in a bathroom for bathing. This is the more precise term for definition 3.
• Tubby (adj): (Informal) Slightly fat in a rounded way, resembling the shape of a tub.
• Wash tub (n): A large tub, traditionally used for washing clothes.

Synonyms

• Container: Vessel, basin, vat, bucket, pail.
• Bathtub: Bath.
• Boat (informal): Barge, scow.

Related Phrases

• "Let every tub stand on its own bottom": (Proverb) Everyone should be self-reliant and responsible for themselves; mind your own business.
• "In the tub": (Informal) In the bathtub; taking a bath.
  • Don't bother him, he's in the tub.

Noun

1. the amount that a tub will hold
   • a tub of water
2. a large open vessel for holding or storing liquids
3. a relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body