stubble

1 of 2

noun

stub·​ble ˈstə-bəl How to pronounce stubble (audio)
often attributive
1
: the basal part of herbaceous plants and especially cereal grasses remaining attached to the soil after harvest
2
: a rough surface or growth resembling stubble
especially : a short growth of beard
stubbled
ˈstə-bəld How to pronounce stubble (audio)
adjective
stubbly
ˈstə-b(ə-)lē How to pronounce stubble (audio)
adjective

stubbly

2 of 2

adjective

stub·​bly ˈstəb(ə)lē How to pronounce stubbly (audio)
-li
-er/-est
1
: covered with stubble : stubbled
our walk across stubbly fields—May Sarton
2
: resembling stubble
having stubbly hair—G. K. Chesterton

Examples of stubble in a Sentence

Noun He ran his hand over his stubble.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Tej’s stubble comes in at the underside of his jaw. — Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025 Fine layers of cotton cling to the stubble of a veteran textile worker’s chin and settle into the creases of his face. — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 9 May 2026 However, in much the same way that a farmer burns a field of stubble after a harvest or a forest regrows with vigor after a fire, flames can have a cleansing and revitalizing effect. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2026 The show also includes looks that are really about preserving the performer’s face and employing subtle transformations via stubble or smaller prosthetic pieces. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stubble

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stuble, from Anglo-French estuble, from Latin stupula stalk, straw, alteration of stipula — more at stipule

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Phrases Containing stubble

Rhymes for stubble

See All Rhymes for stubble

Browse Nearby Words

stubbiness
stubble
stubbleberry
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stubble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stubble. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stubble

noun
stub·​ble ˈstəb-əl How to pronounce stubble (audio)
1
: the stem ends of herbs and especially cereal grasses remaining attached to the ground after harvest
2
: a rough surface or growth resembling stubble
stubbly
-(ə-)lē How to pronounce stubble (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on stubble

Nglish: Translation of stubble for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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