cubbyhole: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral, slightly informal.
Quick answer
What does “cubbyhole” mean?
A very small, enclosed space or room, used for storage or as a private area.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very small, enclosed space or room, used for storage or as a private area.
A small, cramped, and often untidy office or workspace; metaphorically, a narrow or confined category or area of knowledge or interest.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term. The spelling is consistent. The variant 'cubby' (short form) is also common, especially in 'cubby house' (Aus/NZ) vs. 'playhouse' (US).
Connotations
Similar connotations in both. Can evoke childhood (like a small play space) or a slightly negative sense of being cramped and isolated.
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK English, but well-understood in the US.
Grammar
How to Use “cubbyhole” in a Sentence
in a/the cubbyholecubbyhole of/in (e.g., a cubbyhole of an office)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cubbyhole” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The reports were cubbyholed according to date.
American English
- The proposal got cubbyholed in committee.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a small, often undesirable office, e.g., 'He was relegated to a cubbyhole on the third floor.'
Academic
Rare. Could be used figuratively to critique narrow academic specialization.
Everyday
Common for describing small storage spaces under stairs, in children's rooms, or a tiny home office.
Technical
Not a technical term; used descriptively in architecture/design for a small partitioned space.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cubbyhole”
- Misspelling as 'cubbiehole' or 'cubby hole' (though the latter is an accepted variant).
- Using it to describe a large room or open area.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'cubbyhole' (one word) and 'cubby hole' (two words) are accepted, though the one-word form is more common in modern dictionaries.
Yes, though it's less common. It means to classify, file away, or set aside, often with the implication of neglect or pigeonholing.
Physically, a cubbyhole is a small enclosed space, while a pigeonhole is one of a set of small open compartments (like in a desk). Figuratively, both can mean to categorize narrowly, but 'pigeonhole' is far more common in this figurative sense.
It is used by all ages. For children, it often refers to a small storage compartment (e.g., in a classroom). For adults, it's used literally for small spaces or figuratively for narrow categories/offices.
A very small, enclosed space or room, used for storage or as a private area.
Cubbyhole is usually neutral, slightly informal. in register.
Cubbyhole: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌb.i.həʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌb.i.hoʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stuck in a cubbyhole”
- “cubbyhole mentality (narrow-mindedness)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bear CUB in a HOLE. A cubbyhole is a small, cozy den-like space.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/IDEAS ARE SPACES ('stuck in an intellectual cubbyhole'), ORGANIZATIONS ARE BUILDINGS ('working in a corporate cubbyhole').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the typical connotation of 'cubbyhole'?