cob: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal/Regional (for bread); Neutral (for corn, horse); Specialized (for building material, ornithology).
Quick answer
What does “cob” mean?
A small, round, crusty loaf of bread.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, round, crusty loaf of bread.
1) The central, cylindrical part of an ear of maize (corn) on which the kernels grow. 2) A stocky, strong horse, typically with short legs. 3) A male swan. 4) A building material of clay, sand, and straw, used to construct walls (cob walls).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English (especially Midlands/North), 'cob' primarily means a bread roll. In US English, 'cob' is almost exclusively used in 'corn cob'. The building term 'cob' is known in both but is a niche technical/historical term.
Connotations
UK: Informal, regional, homely, sometimes working-class. US: Agricultural, associated with farming or eating corn.
Frequency
High frequency in UK Midlands dialect for food; high frequency in US for agriculture (corn cob). Low frequency for other meanings in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “cob” in a Sentence
Noun + of + [material] (a cob of bread)Noun + modifier (sweetcorn cob)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cob” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to cob together a solution before the meeting.
- He cobbed a quick shed from old pallets.
American English
- They cobbed together a temporary fix for the leak.
adjective
British English
- They lived in a charming cob cottage.
- The cob wall was over a foot thick.
American English
- The farm had a historic cob building.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific contexts like agriculture (corn cobs for biofuel/animal feed) or artisan bakery marketing.
Academic
Used in agriculture, botany (describing maize), historical architecture (cob construction), and ornithology.
Everyday
Common in UK regions for ordering bread. Common in US when eating or preparing corn.
Technical
In agriculture (corn hybrids), sustainable building (cob construction materials).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cob”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cob”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cob”
- Using 'cob' for any bread product in the US (will cause confusion).
- Misspelling as 'cobb'.
- Using 'cob' to refer to the kernels of corn, rather than the core they grow on.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In many parts of the UK, yes, 'cob' is a regional synonym for a bread roll. However, nationally, terms like roll, bap, bun, or batch are also used, creating regional variation.
'Corn' can refer to the plant or its kernels after removal. 'Corn on the cob' specifically means the whole cylindrical ear (the cob) with the kernels still attached, typically cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Yes, informally. 'To cob something together' means to assemble or make something quickly, often in a rough or improvised way, using whatever materials are available.
They are similar but distinct. Both use earth-based materials. Cob uses a mix of clay, sand, and straw applied in lumps to build monolithic walls. Adobe uses sun-dried bricks made of similar materials. The construction technique differs.
A small, round, crusty loaf of bread.
Cob is usually informal/regional (for bread); neutral (for corn, horse); specialized (for building material, ornithology). in register.
Cob: in British English it is pronounced /kɒb/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɑːb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To have a cob on (UK, informal): to be in a bad mood.”
- “Cob together (verb, informal): to assemble or make something hastily or from available materials.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COBra curled up in a round shape like a small loaf of bread, or wrapped around a corn cob.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOLID, ROUND OBJECT (core metaphor) -> A compact, rounded, often natural unit (of bread, corn, a horse's build).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'cob' MOST likely to be used in American English?