lubber

noun

lub·​ber ˈlə-bər How to pronounce lubber (audio)
1
: a big clumsy fellow
2
: a clumsy seaman
lubberliness noun
lubberly adjective or adverb

Examples of lubber in a Sentence

although he's something of a lubber, everyone agrees that he has a kind heart the two lubbers who came to deliver my furniture
Recent Examples on the Web Land lubbers hike: Lace up those shoes for a 9 to 11 a.m. excursion on Sunday, Oct. 20, to Ansel’s Cave in The West Woods in Russell Township. Joan Rusek, cleveland, 30 Sep. 2019 Water-lubbers can easily access freshwater lakes, rural flatland and woodland forests. Amy Aumick, OrlandoSentinel.com, 15 May 2018 China does not have the sealift, airlift, or sustainment capability to project force to Taiwan - and that's before the US Navy gets involved as lubber points out below. Isaac Stone Fish, Slate Magazine, 4 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lubber.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lobre, lobur

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lubber was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near lubber

Cite this Entry

“Lubber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lubber. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lubber

noun
lub·​ber ˈləb-ər How to pronounce lubber (audio)
1
: a big clumsy person
2
: an unskilled seaman
lubberly adjective or adverb
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