tub
B1Neutral to informal. Standard in domestic and everyday contexts; can be humorous or slightly old-fashioned when used for vehicles.
Definition
Meaning
A wide, open, typically round container with a flat bottom and low sides, often used for holding liquids or for washing.
A small, deep container for food; a bathtub; a wide, clumsy boat; a container for growing plants; (slang) an old or slow vehicle.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a relatively simple, practical container, not elegant or decorative. When used to mean 'bathtub', it's more common in British English for a standalone unit, while American English often uses 'bathtub' for the fixture and 'tub' more for containers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
BrE: 'Tub' is the common, neutral word for a bath (the fixture). 'A long soak in the tub.' AmE: 'Bathtub' is more standard for the fixture; 'tub' alone can sound slightly informal or old-fashioned. 'Tub' is more strongly associated with containers (e.g., ice cream tub, margarine tub).
Connotations
In BrE, 'tub' (for bath) is neutral. In AmE, 'tub' for a bath can have a rustic or simple connotation. In both, 'tub' for a vehicle or person (e.g., 'he's a tub of lard') is informal/derogatory.
Frequency
Higher frequency in BrE due to its use for 'bathtub'. In AmE, frequency is moderate, skewed towards food containers and informal uses.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + the tub (fill, empty, clean, get in)[adjective] + tub (plastic, hot, deep, old)a tub + [of + noun] (a tub of ice cream, a tub of margarine)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not exactly an idiom, but common phrases] 'Every tub must stand on its own bottom' (proverb: be self-reliant). 'Tub-thumping' (vehement public speaking).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in manufacturing/logistics: 'The product is shipped in large plastic tubs.'
Academic
Very rare, except in historical/archaeological contexts describing artifacts.
Everyday
Very common: discussing baths, food storage, gardening, cleaning.
Technical
In plumbing (bathtub), horticulture (plant tub), food packaging.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We used to tub our clothes in the scullery before we had a washing machine.
American English
- (Rare as verb) They tub the catch on fishing boats to keep it fresh.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard)
American English
- (Not standard)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard)
American English
- (Not standard)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby is in the tub.
- I bought a tub of yoghurt.
- Can you fill the tub for a bath?
- She keeps the leftovers in a plastic tub.
- After the marathon, he soaked his aching muscles in a hot tub.
- The recipe calls for a full tub of cottage cheese.
- The antique copper tub served as a striking planter in the garden.
- His political speeches were dismissed as mere tub-thumping rhetoric.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TUBby bear sitting in a bath TUB, eating ice cream from a TUB.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR THE BODY (e.g., 'He's a tub of lard' = he is fat, his body is a container for fat). CONTAINER FOR TIME/ACTIVITY ('a long soak in the tub' = the tub contains the relaxing activity).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with 'тюбик' (tube for paste). 'Tub' is open-topped, 'tube' is cylindrical and closed. Do not translate 'ванна' (bath) as 'bath' only; in BrE, 'tub' is perfect. 'Корыто' is a closer match for a large washing tub.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'tub' for a tall, narrow container (use 'jar', 'vase'). Confusing 'tub' (open) with 'tube' (long and hollow). Overusing 'tub' in AmE for the bath fixture where 'bathtub' is expected.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'tub' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In British English, they are largely synonymous for the bathroom fixture. In American English, 'bathtub' is the more standard term, with 'tub' being a common but slightly more informal shortening.
Yes, but it is archaic or highly specialized. It historically meant to wash or bathe in a tub, or to pack in a tub. It is very rarely used in modern English.
A tub is generally wider, more open, and often shallower relative to its width. A bucket is typically deeper, narrower, and has a handle for carrying. A tub is less portable.
Yes, directly. A hot tub is a large tub (often wooden or acrylic) filled with heated water for relaxation or hydrotherapy, extending the 'container for bathing' meaning.