doob: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowInformal, Slang, Often Offensive
Quick answer
What does “doob” mean?
(chiefly British slang, offensive) A stupid or contemptible person.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(chiefly British slang, offensive) A stupid or contemptible person; a fool. Also used as a general term of abuse.
(chiefly Australian/NZ slang) Marijuana, a cannabis cigarette. Also sometimes used to refer to the rolled cigarette itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'doob' is derogatory slang for a foolish person. In American English, the word is virtually unknown and not part of common slang. The Australian/NZ meaning (marijuana) is also understood by some due to global pop culture but is not standard American slang.
Connotations
British: Strongly negative, contemptuous, offensive. Australian/NZ: Countercultural, illicit, informal. American: Generally unknown; if recognized, likely from exposure to British/Australian media.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in all standard registers. Its use is confined to specific slang contexts within the UK and Australia/NZ.
Grammar
How to Use “doob” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a [doob].Don't be such a [doob].You [doob]!Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “doob” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- 'Doob it up' is not a standard phrase.
American English
- 'Doob' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- 'That was a doob thing to do.' (rare, non-standard)
American English
- Not used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never appropriate.
Academic
Never appropriate.
Everyday
Only in very informal, familiar settings among peers who understand the regional slang. High risk of causing offense (UK) or confusion (other regions).
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “doob”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming Americans will understand it.
- Using the UK insult meaning in Australia, where it will be misinterpreted as a reference to drugs.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very low-frequency slang, confined to specific regions and informal contexts.
It is not recommended, as most Americans will not understand it. If they do, they will likely associate it with marijuana (from Australian media) rather than the British insult.
It is primarily used as a countable noun (e.g., 'He's a doob', 'They smoked a doob').
In its British sense, yes, it is a derogatory term for a person. In its Australian sense, it refers to an illegal substance in many jurisdictions, so its use carries legal and social connotations.
(chiefly British slang, offensive) A stupid or contemptible person.
Doob is usually informal, slang, often offensive in register.
Doob: in British English it is pronounced /duːb/, and in American English it is pronounced /duːb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms found for this low-frequency slang term.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'doofus' + 'boob' = DOOB. A 'doob' sounds like a clumsy, foolish person.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS A DEFECTIVE OBJECT (UK sense).
Practice
Quiz
In which regional variety of English does 'doob' primarily function as a term of abuse for a person?