Word.ws English Dictionary

Synonyms of nub

30 similar words

Another word for nub is kernel. Other synonyms of nub are crux, bowels and sum.

Synonyms and similar words for nub

nounA small knob or lump.

  • nubbinA small protuberance, bud, bump, or knob.

nounThe essence or core of an issue, argument etc.

  • cruxThe basic, central, or essential point or feature.
  • gist
  • bowelsThe concept or quality that defines something at its very core.
  • sumA central idea or point; gist.
  • brass tacks
  • core
  • essence
  • drift
  • gutsThe essential, core parts.
  • gravamenThe essence or most important aspect of a piece of writing, a point of argument, etc.; the gist.
  • heartThe centre, essence, or core.
  • heart and soulThe core of a thing; the most essential or important part.
  • kernelThe core, center, or essence of an object or system.
  • marrowThe essence; the best part.
  • meatThe best or most substantial part of something.
  • moral of the storyThe key lesson or message that an incident, situation or other happening conveys; a general takeaway point.
  • nitty-grittyThe core or essence of something; the gist.
  • nuts and boltsThe basic inner workings of something; the fundamentals; that which makes something operate.
  • pith figurativelyThe essential or vital part of something; the essence.
  • punctum saliensStarting point, source; gist.
  • quintessenceThe essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form.
  • soul
  • spirit
  • stuff
  • substance
  • tenor
  • heartstring archaicThe essential or vital part of something; the core, the essence, the heart.
  • heartstrings archaicThe essential or vital part of something; the core, the essence, the heart.
  • inwardness obsoleteThe internal or true state; the essential nature.

Meaning of nub

  1. noun The innermost section of a chrysalis in a silk cocoon.
  2. noun A small knob or lump.
  3. noun The essence or core of an issue, argument etc.

Full definition of nub

nub in other languages

Questions about synonyms of nub

What is another word for nub?
Nub has 30 synonyms on Word.ws, such as kernel, crux, bowels and sum.
What does nub mean?
Nub means the innermost section of a chrysalis in a silk cocoon.

Source and license

Adapted from Wiktionary: nub (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

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Cite this page: “Synonyms of nub.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/nub. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.